Orion Watch will host fundraiser with hopes of constructing memorial for Rainier’s Borgen brothers

Though it’s been nearly five months since Rainier brothers Alexander Borgen, 16, and Deven Borgen, 17, were shot and killed in Lacey, the memory of the two teenagers strongly lives on as Orion Watch: Community Outreach Programs, is set to host a fundraiser event from noon to 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 26, at the Rainier Functional Gym in an effort to raise money to construct a memorial in Lacey in memory of the siblings.

The two teenagers were killed in the early morning hours of Friday, Nov. 14, in the area of 24th and College streets in Lacey. In the aftermath of the shooting, the two men accused of killing the Borgen brothers, Trequanne Trenelle Wilson-Mason, 20, and Jaden H. Johns, 20, were both arrested on charges of first-degree murder and drive-by shooting.

According to Charity Aleff, Orion Watch: Community Outreach Program youth advisory president, she was approached several weeks back by organization founder JD Barton about putting together an event in honor of the Borgen brothers to raise funds for a permanent memorial in Lacey.

After searching high and low to find a venue in Rainier suitable for the event, Aleff said Orion Watch was finally able to secure a venue at Rainier Functional Gym.

“(The owner) said she would shut the gym down for the day for us to do so. Now that we have a location, we’re able to set up some logistics,” Aleff said. “What that’s going to look like, my idea right now, is maybe do five to 10 vendor booths out front. We’re also collecting donations for giveaways and silent auction items. That will be my next ask of the community. Who wants to come together to create items for giveaways? Who wants to come together to put together a silent auction item?”

Aleff noted that the grandparents and mother of the Borgen brothers will be present at the fundraiser event and will speak in the honor of Deven and Alexander. Additionally, she said there will be a Youth At Risk program member performing.

“It’s really about bringing awareness to acts of violence against kids,” Aleff said. “It’s about teaching kids that things in their past don’t define their future. Nothing raised here at this particular event will go to Orion Watch. We’re there to support because it aligns with our cause of keeping kids in the classrooms and off the streets.”

Aleff said Orion Watch has been attempting to get in contact with the City of Rainier to coordinate efforts for a potential memorial for the brothers in their hometown.

“We haven’t really been able to get through with him. JD has sent him a couple of messages and sent some emails. I don’t know what that looks like for a spot for a memorial in Rainier until we can speak about it. This is still the very beginning phase,” Aleff said. “I threw it out there that it would be nice to also do a memorial in Rainier, so that way there’s one in both cities.”

In the coming weeks leading up to the fundraiser event in honor of the Borgen brothers, Aleff said that Orion Watch is turning to the community for donations of auction items or money in order to make the memorials come to fruition.

“We are looking for silent auction items and vendors who are willing to pop up. As for the vendors, we’re thinking $100 or $50 and they donate an item of $50 value or $50 to the cost. All of the proceeds raised are going to this memorial,” she said. “Anything that goes over our goal, the family has asked we donate it directly to the Rainier School District.”

She added that there are stone masons ready to construct the memorials just for the cost of materials — but noted those materials aren’t cheap.

“When we’re talking about a budget, we’re looking at $20,000 to $30,000,” she said. “We really will want the community’s support. We’ll have a donation link out soon for people who aren’t able to make it.”

For those interested in donating towards the Borgen brothers’ memorial, you can contact Aleff at charity.yac.orionwatch@outlook.com.