Princess Anne restaurant created a buffet dinner to benefit the Downing Project

A fundraiser on February 23, 2017 in Princess Anne helped raise $1,135.35 for the Downing Project.

"Washington Inn and Tavern" hosted a buffet filled with a variety of food, as tickets were $20 each, with $5 of each ticket sold going towards the project.

And we're told aside from that, a number of people provided additional donations.

The restaurant contribution raised $555.80 and cash and check donations equaled to $580.

Money raised will be used to upgrade the home Valentina Downing, the grandmother and guardian of the Sells children.

The children were brutally beaten back in early December.

Their mother's boyfriend allegedly attacked the children and their mom with a hammer. Their mother Airelle Sells died soon after.

First responders helped build a wheel-chair ramp for the home this past Saturday, and now this money raised today, help build a back deck for the home.

The manager of the restaurant, Greg Huggler, "This is the time, where we as a community truly do need to come together and support each other. It's all about just coming together and helping these children. It's something that's really touched our hearts and I think touched the community's hearts as well."

We're told the goal is to have the rest of the money raised by February 25, 2017 so most of the construction can continue.