Volunteers continue to search for Sierra LaMar almost two months after she was reported missing from her north Morgan Hill home, and her family remains grateful for ongoing fundraising efforts organized by numerous people from the South Santa Clara County community.
Sierra’s father, Steve LaMar of Fremont, said the two-month anniversary of his daughter’s disappearance is a “painful” benchmark.
“This is not how I wanted to acknowledge this date,” said Sierra’s father, Steve LaMar of Fremont. “But I am grateful that the community continues to support her cause.”
Authorities think the Sobrato High School sophomore was kidnapped as she was walking from her house to her school bus stop near the intersection of Palm and Dougherty avenues.
A volunteer search is scheduled for Saturday, starting at 8 a.m. Those interested can show up at Burnett Elementary School, 85 Tilton Ave.
Burnett Elementary has served as a volunteer “search center” for Sierra since shortly after the 15-year-old cheerleader was reported missing March 16.
The volunteer searches were initially organized by the nonprofit KlaasKids Foundation. The search efforts are now led by local residents and Sierra’s family, but are still supported by KlaasKids, the Laura Recovery Center, and Chid Quest International.
Also on Saturday, the Safeway grocery store in Gilroy will host a rummage sale to raise money for the Sierra LaMar Fund, which supports search efforts and a reward fund for information leading to Sierra’s safe return. There is currently a $25,000 reward on the table for such information, offered by her family.
The rummage sale will take place Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Safeway store is located at 905 First St., in Gilroy.
Interested vendors can reserve a space in the store’s parking lot to sell their wares. One space costs $25, and two spaces cost $40, according to Safeway staff.
Those interested in reserving a space can call the store at (408) 842-6446, extension 8.
Another fundraiser for the Sierra LaMar Fund will take place at Jason Stephens Winery and feature live bands Sugadady and James Wesley. That will take place 5:30 p.m. Friday, May 25. The winery is located at 11775 Watsonville Road in Gilroy.
The recommended donation amount is $20 per person at the door. The wine maker will donate a portion of sales from wine and beer during the event to the Sierra LaMar Fund.
The concert will also feature a live auction for prizes that include tickets to a Jason Aldean concert at Shoreline Amphitheater, a reserved table for four at the Jason Stephens summer songwriters’ concert series, a “wine maker’s dinner” for 10 at the winery, and San Jose Giants tickets. Other items will be raffled off in a silent auction.
Anyone with information on Sierra’s possible whereabouts, can contact the Santa Clara County sheriff’s tip line at 299-2311 or ti**@sh*****.org. Callers can call Sheriff’s Investigators at 808-4500 or the anonymous tip line at 808-4431. Tips can also be sent via sccgov.org/portal/site/sheriff or by text at 421-6760.
