Fundraiser Helps Merhi Children

It was a day of music and food in Northampton as bikers and residents from across the area came together to raise money for the children of Denise Merhi.

Merhi was killed in June, along with her father, grandfather and a neighbor.

Michael Ballard could face the death penalty if convicted of the murders.

The Merhi Children Benefit was organized by a group of bikers who said they want to make sure Merhi's kids are taken care of.

They may be big, and some intimidating, but underneath it all these bikers are all heart.

At Northampton's Tri-Boro Sportsmen Club hundreds of people turned out to raise money for the children of Denise Merhi.

"We just want to make sure the kids have a good life as much as possible," said Kim Glass. "Grandma is raising them and we are trying to help them financially, she's going to have it rough," she added.

For a $10 donation, community members rocked out, got their fill of food, and took a chance on dozens of donated prizes.

Organizers said 70 people volunteered to help put the benefit together.

"We're just doing our best that to help them heal it's a healing process I'm sure," Rick Nauman said.

Part of that healing process means doing what bikers do best, a 56-mile ride to honor Annika and Trystan Merhi, welcoming them into the biker family.

"Raising money for the kids, it's all about the kids," said Glass.