Publications & Sites 
Janks raises funds for O’Laughlin memorial fund
Jank performs at Mattone's Restaurant in LaGrange Park for a benefit concert Nov. 22, raising money for the Kelli O'Laughlin Memorial Fund for education and scholarships. | Dan Luedert~Sun-Times Media
Article Extras
Updated: January 2, 2012 8:12AM
A Lyons Township High School English teacher and his brother lent their talents Nov. 23 for a pre-Thanksgiving concert in LaGrange Park to raise $5,000 for the Kelli O’Laughlin Memorial Fund.
Faculty member Frank Alletto and his brother, John, had planned an informal concert on Thanksgiving eve at the Mattone Restaurant, 31st Street and La Grange Road, as Janks, an acoustic duo playing popular cover selections.
As LT alumni, the brothers were among those saddened by the murder of freshman Kelli O’Laughlin, who was killed Oct. 27 when she encountered a burglar after school in her Indian Head Park home.
The two musicians decided to make their performance a benefit for the memorial fund to provide scholarships and other educational efforts, said Frank Alleto’s wife, Erica Alletto. About 250 community members attended.
“We started contacting area businesses for a raffle, and we got 46 donations, including items signed by players from the Cubs, Sox and Bears,” Erica Alletto said.
“We heard from Kelli’s third-grade teacher at the Highlands Elementary School, and she collected a lot of donations as well,” Erica Alletto said.
“There aren’t words to express how everybody is feeling about the tragedy,” she said. “But at least this brings to light something to keep her memory alive and the memorial fund for educational purposes.”
Donations may be made online at www.kellijoyolaughlinmemorialfund.com . Checks made payable to The Chicago Community Trust with the Kelli Joy O’Laughlin Memorial Fund in the memo line may be mailed to The Chicago Community Trust, Attn: Nicole Mitchell, 111 E. Wacker Drive, Suite 1400, Chicago, IL 60601.
