Esther Price Candies raises $85,000 in 1 day for victims of Oregon District shooting

***UPDATE (Aug. 9, 2019)***

Esther Price Candies raised more than $85,000 on Wednesday for victims and surviving family members affected by the deadly Dayton mass shooting in the Oregon District that killed nine victims and injured dozens of others.

The Dayton-based candy company promised to donate the entire day’s sales from the seven Esther Price stores from Dayton to Cincinnati.

Esther Price officials said “droves of community members” turned out.

“The Esther Price community showed up in ways we couldn’t imagine,” Esther Price’s CFO, Keith Crabtree, said in a company release. “We knew they would respond, but (they) exceeded our wildest expectations. We don’t have the words to express our gratitude towards our community for rallying together at a time when the city needs it most.”

The proceeds will be given to The Dayton Foundation at 11:30 a.m. Aug. 15 at the Esther Price flagship store at 1709 Wayne Ave. in Dayton.

***ORIGINAL STORY (Aug. 6, 2019)***

Esther Price Candies on Wednesday will donate all in-store sales of its products to families of the victims of Dayton’s mass shooting.

All seven Dayton and Cincinnati locations are participating.

>> How to help our neighbors in the aftermath of tragic shooting

The shooting affected many who work for the Dayton-based candy maker known for its fine chocolates. Some Esther Price employees knew the victims, according to a statement released Tuesday evening from the company.

Also, a company factory is near the location of the shooting, which happened in the 400 block of East Fifth Street.

“Since 1926, Esther Price has been a Dayton tradition," said Doug Dressman, executive vice president. “Our hearts and prayers go out to all the victims and their families. We are proud of the Dayton community and hurt when it hurts.”