How a Community Says ‘We’re with You’ when an Albert Lea Family Loses their Eight-Year-Old Daughter

There’s been an outpouring of support for the family involved in the tragic story from the weekend, where the Albert Lea family lost their beautiful 8 year old daughter, Sophie.

There are no updates from police on this story from a very hard Saturday on Minnesota roads.

The Albert Lea Police Department say eight-year-old Sophie Stultz died Saturday from injuries she suffered when she was struck by a car. The incident occurred around 11:30 a.m. Initial report indicated the girl was riding a bicycle when she was struck by a vehicle driven by a 70-year-old Albert Lea man.

Over the weekend, a GoFundMe page was set up to help the family pay for funeral costs, which can be expensive and hard to deal with at such a difficult time. In one day it reached and then exceeded the $8,000 goal. As I write this, more than $14,000 has been donated.

At times like this, we all want to do something to show we care, to show we're on their side, and say we love you and will be praying for you. So in my mind, this may be money, but it is just one way a community wraps our arms around a hurting family.

Because that's how we do.