Fundraiser scheduled for family of 2-year-old New Kensington drowning victim

A fundraiser for the family of a 2-year-old New Kensington boy who drowned is planned for this weekend in the city.

The event includes a silent auction, Chinese auction and yard sale, said Nicole Contreras, a friend and co-worker of Dominique Kemp, mother of Cassius Alexander Saulsgiver.

Saulsgiver died July 20 at UPMC Children’s Hospital, four days after he was found in an in-ground swimming pool at a home on Opal Court in Harrison, according to Allegheny County Police.

County police said Thursday that detectives are still investigating the incident.

Contreras said she and Kemp’s co-workers at Sunnyside, a medical marijuana dispensary in New Kensington, are putting together the fundraiser that will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday behind the building at 751 4th Ave. They hope to raise $2,000 to help Kemp and her family with medical bills, funeral costs and any other financial burdens they may have.

Contreras said many people heard about the tragedy and reached out to them.

“The day we found out what had happened, all of us co-workers were trying to figure out how we could help her in such a short notice,” Contreras said. “Our hearts were breaking for her since most of us here are parents. We knew she wouldn’t be able to return back to work for a short period since she was dealing with so much.”

Contreras said a local artist has donated art work for the silent auction, and there are more than 30 baskets for the Chinese auction. Auction items include musical instruments, custom artwork, sports memorabilia and gift baskets.

Food and drinks will be available, including sandwiches for sale with pulled pork donated by Big Joe’s BBQ.