Members of the TJ Youth Cheerleading Association are selling black and gold swirled wristbands to benefit Tia Wright's family.

Tia Wright was killed in a two-vehicle collision on Gill Hall Road, between Mowry and Woodwind drives, in Jefferson Hills on April 5. A SUV driven by a 17-year-old intoxicated male collided with Wright's truck, driven by her father, Karl.

Youth cheerleading President Crystal Lyons said Tia had been a cheerleader, and the other cheerleaders wanted to help the Wright family.

"Everyone wants to do what they can for the family," Lyons said.

The cheerleaders are trying to sell $10,000 for the family by selling 2,000 bracelets at $5 each.

Lyons said the Wright family will receive all of the money raised by the bracelets, which were donated to the cheerleaders by Prints Charming Photography of Jefferson Hills.

"We have two little ones ourselves and couldn't even imagine what that family is going through," Bob Marlow, owner of Prints Charming Photography, said.

"We wanted to contribute the entire amount so they wouldn't have to worry about finding sponsors."

Each band bears Tia's name. Joe Esper, association treasurer, hopes the band will serve as more than just a memorial.

"Hopefully, people wearing them look down and think twice about going to a party and then getting behind the wheel after a few drinks," Esper said.

Jefferson Hills resident Nadine Henderson bought a wristband last week.

She said she knows the family casually through football and cheerleading, and said it is important for Jefferson Hills and Pleasant Hills residents to come together to help them.

"Any kind of help that can be given should be given, even if it's just buying a bracelet," Henderson said.

Marlow said the cheerleaders' willingness to help the family serves as a testament to the compassion of Pleasant Hills and Jefferson Hills residents.

"Our communities have always been very close-knit," Marlow said.

"There is not a family in Jefferson Hills or Pleasant Hills whose hearts aren't going out to the Wright family -- the communities are completely behind them."

Wristbands are available at Meder's Nursery and Garden Center, 360 Regis Ave., Pleasant Hills.

More information is available at www.tjyca.com [1].