Sam’s Tavern is hoping to help raise $100,000 to help survivors of domestic violence in memory of Anna “Maxx” Lopez, the 26-year-old shot and killed earlier this month by her estranged husband during her bartending shift at the Bellevue location of the Capitol Hill-born chain.

“While her death is sudden and unspeakably tragic, we would like to embrace that intrepid smile of hers to inspire the change that she would have liked to see in the world,” a message on the fundraiser page set up to honor Lopez reads. “If it is time to have an uncomfortable discussion about domestic violence, we would like to give Maxx the opportunity to help start that discussion.”

Proceeds from the effort will benefit LifeWire, a King County provider of housing, mental health, and legal services for survivors of domestic violence. Continue reading →