Community comes together for Friends of JJ's benefit

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Kansas City community came together at the Friends of JJ's benefit concert Tuesday night.

More than 900 people attended the event at the Uptown Theater, which included appearances by several local bands. All proceeds will go to support the JJ's Restaurant employees who were injured and left without jobs in last month's explosion.

Server Megan Cramer was killed in the blast, and more than a dozen others were hurt.

"We're all here for one reason, and that's about Megan and JJ's," said JJ's employee Teri Lemos. "It's going to be emotional for us, but this is where everybody can love us and hug us and kiss us, cry.  We're going to cry and laugh, but it's a good night."

Former employee Jim Ligon said he was touched by the turnout.

"Tonight specifically shows that JJ's and its staff was not just a building and people that worked there," he said. "JJ's had a real spirit and soul about it, and people identify with that and that's why they want to be here tonight, and they gave so generously to the cause."

Thirty-seven local restaurants donated food to the event.