Utah's Paradise Bakery stores are trying to raise money after losing an employee.

Kristy Bateman, a barrista at the West Bountiful store, recently died after a car accident. Now her Paradise Bakery family is holding a fundraiser in her honor Friday.

All proceeds from single cookie and dozen cookie sales will go to the Kristy Bateman Memorial Fund. The fund will benefit Kristy's younger brother Josh, who also works at the West Bountiful store.

Josh plans to attend college to become an electrical engineer after graduating from Bountiful High School, where he begins his junior year next month.

The money from cookie sales is being matched by the Utah store owners, with several other donations coming from the Paradise's corporate office.

There are six Paradise Bakeries in Utah, at 135 N. 500 West in West Bountiful, 618 E. 400 South and 1010 E. 2100 South in Salt Lake City, 1400 E. Fort Union Blvd. in Cottonwood Heights, 10431 S. State Street in Sandy and 562 W. Main Street in American Fork.

All stores are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Others interested in making donations can mail them to The Kristy Bateman Memorial Fund, care of American First Credit Union, 48 N. 500 West, Bountiful Utah 84010.

- Katie Drake