POCATELLO — A vigil and multiple fundraisers are currently scheduled to assist the family of two Pocatello siblings who died in a car crash on Sunday.
The crash occurred on U.S. 30 near McCammon on Sunday afternoon. The collision claimed the lives of Pocatello siblings Eric, 15, and Lauren, 13, Neibaur, as well as Nampa resident Jay Lanningham, 70.
Vigil for Eric and Lauren Neibaur
Those who knew Eric and Lauren say they were kind and easygoing teens who touched a lot of peoples’ lives.
“I was blessed to have known them,” said Eddie Colon. “They were the kind of kids you hope your kids turn out to be.”
Colon is the youth leader at Pocatello Baptist Church. He got to know Eric and Lauren well during the year-and-a-half the teens participated in the church’s youth leadership program.
To honor Eric and Lauren’s memory, Colon is working to organize a vigil that will be held on Wednesday night at the Portneuf Wellness Complex at 8 p.m. The event is open to the public, and candles will be provided.
Those wishing to participate are asked to meet at the beach area before the 8 p.m. start time so the vigil can begin promptly.
Double Shot Coffee and Donuts Tip Drive
On Friday, Double Shot Coffee and Donuts will hold a tip drive to benefit the Neibaur family.Donations will be accepted from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the 180 Jefferson Ave. location, and from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the 215 E. Cedar St. location.
According to Double Shot’s Facebook page, there will be several high school football players at the drive-thru location collecting tips in their helmets.
Eric played for Century High School’s football team, while Lauren was a member of the school’s cheer team.
Pocatello American Legion Baseball Fundraiser
This weekend, Pocatello American Legion Baseball will host a fundraiser for the Neibaur family during the Razorback tournament. The league is accepting cash contributions, and profits from morning breakfast sales will also be donated, according to Pocatello American Legion Baseball’s website.
Those wishing to donate can stop by the field at Halliwell Park anytime during the tournament to contribute funds.
July 1 Fundraiser at Maple Sit N Sleep
On Saturday, July 1, a fundraiser featuring a car wash, bake sale, silent auction and raffle will be held in the parking lot of Maple Sit N Sleep at 206 W. Maple St. The event will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.This fundraiser is being organized by a group of Eric and Lauren’s friends, and they are being assisted by their parents.
“It’s about helping the Neibaur family and it gives these kids something positive to focus on during this difficult time,” said Cassandra Tack, a friend of the family.
One of Lauren’s friends, 14-year-old Remington Hale, said she first met Lauren in science class when they were students at Franklin Middle School, and the two became friends instantly.
“Lauren’s death broke my heart,” Hale said.
Those wishing to donate physical items for the July 1 fundraiser can drop them off at EDGE Salon and Spa at 127 N. Main St. in Pocatello. For more information about the event, please contact Tack at 208-308-9467.
GoFundMe.com Campaigns and Memorial Fund at ICCU
Two GoFundMe.com campaigns have been launched to help raise money for the Neibaur family. One is called “Neibaur Family Fund” and can be accessed at https://www.gofundme.com/3yd1geg. The other is called “Neibaur family” and that site can be accessed at https://www.gofundme.com/neibaur-family.
Both of these GoFundMe.com campaigns have raised more than $13,000 combined since the beginning of the week.
Cash donations can also be submitted to a memorial fund that has been set up for the Neibaur family at Idaho Central Credit Union.
