MURFREESBORO, TN (WSMV) -
It's been two weeks since MTSU student Jacob Nunley died suddenly from meningitis. On Sunday night his fraternity brothers pulled together to help Nunley's family.
Dozens of people packed Boulevard Bar and Grille Sunday to celebrate a life and honor a friend's memory.
"He was a great kid... He was the life of us," fraternity brother Matt McCann recalled.
Members of Sigma Alpha Epsilon held a benefit for their fraternity brother Nunley. The 18-year-old freshman died suddenly Sept. 10 from what doctors believe was bacterial meningitis.
Chapter President Baker Reynolds said the group wanted to do something to help their frat brother's family. "With all the medical costs and the funeral cost, cause we know this was real unexpected for his age."
McCann said it was the least they could do. "Having to go through that having to bury your child is probably the worst thing you could have to do."
The bar donated 10 percent of the days sales, while guests filled collection jars around the bar. Money, Nunley's uncle Chris Wilson said, will help his nephew's mother through this difficult time.
"I can't say enough they've just went above and beyond... This helped ease the financial burden with all the costs and everything."
Friends and classmates are now forever joined together as family.
"He was just a great kid and he's just gonna be missed a great deal by everyone," Wilson added.
"He's our brother, which in turn makes his family our family," said McCann.
Health officials still don't know how or where the 18-year-old contracted the deadly bacteria. The fraternity is hoping tonight's benefit will raise $10,000 for Nunley's family.
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