In October, a couple was killed in a crash on Route 209 and Mining Road in Walker Township. Now, a little more than a month after the tragedy, their families and friends are coming together to help fill the hole left by their absence.

Jeremy Behler, 24, of Tuscarora, and his fiancee, Kylee Mullen, 23, of Lehighton, were driving along Route 209 when their Volkswagen struck a Dodge Ram that was turning left onto the highway. The driver of the Dodge was reportedly under the influence of alcohol. All three died at the scene, and a 17-year-old from Tamaqua was seriously injured.

After their death, Behler and Mullen’s son, 3-year-old Nevan, went into the care of his grandparents.

But other people close to Behler and Mullen are stepping up, too. Today, members of the couple’s family, along with some of their friends, are hosting a basket raffle and bake sale from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. to raise money for those affected by the couple’s untimely death.

Tylyn Rappold, Jeremy’s cousin, and Erin Behler, a family friend, organized the event.

For Behler, who works as an EMT, seeing families struggle after the loss of their loved ones isn’t an unfamiliar sight.

“I know how hard it is for families to struggle, because I’ve work in EMS for a long time, so I know how hard it is for families when something tragic happens,” Behler said. “They don’t have the funds and the means to help do everything because everything is cut short and they didn’t expect it.

“It’s always nice to have that extra money, especially now … for the funerals, and then to help raise Nevan, too.”

Money raised through the basket raffle will go toward covering the funeral costs for Behler and Mullen, as well as to their parents, who are now raising Nevan. The event will take place at the Palmerton Ambulance Building.

Doors open at 11 a.m.