DeKalb and Sycamore residents packed into Culver’s, 1200 DeKalb Ave., to support the family of Matthew Ranken.

Sycamore resident Matthew Ranken, 11, was killed on Feb. 27 in an auto accident on Route 64 in Kane County. Culver’s restaurant held a benefit for the Ranken family from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday. Fifty percent of each purchase during the day was given to Ranken’s family.

“We hold probably two or three fundraisers a week to support the community,” said Amanda Corona, owner of the Sycamore Culver’s.

The drive-thru lane was backed up into the street, and parking spaces were difficult to find.

“It’s fantastic,” said Sycamore resident Adam Nehring. “It doesn’t surprise me in Sycamore; it’s a pretty great community.”

The Ranken family helped organize the event. They provided special shirts emblazoned with a photo of Ranken in his football uniform. Friends and family members volunteered by passing out food to customers. Volunteers and Culver’s employees wore the special shirts.

“I just wanted to do something nice for the family,” said Jennifer Crouch, a cousin of Ranken.

Culver’s mascot, Scoopie, was in attendance along with a balloon artist.

“I would never ever move out of Sycamore for this reason,” said Becky Rust, Ranken family day-care provider. “This is amazing, the way the communities pulled together.”