A town shocked by the loss of 22-year-old Kelly Nolan is finding a way to channel its grief. Waunakee is now focusing on the family by raising money.

Kelly's friends planned a fundraiser early in the week, before the family learned of Kelly's death. On Friday, two of her best friends spoke candidly with NBC 15 about her life. They hope her vibrant spirit lives on in their town.

"She's just a great person," says Bobbie Markus. "Always positive and just great, no negatives about her."

"She was an awesome girl, she was one of our best friends," says Jenna Ungrodt. "We've known her for all of our school years and she's just an amazing person, full of ambition, the happiest girl you could meet."

Bobbie Markus and Jenna Ungrodt grew up with Kelly Nolan. Both young women say they have always been quiet and shy until now. Kelly's death has forced them to take the reigns. Both young women organized a brat fry at Waunakee's Piggly Wiggly Friday. Hundreds used their lunch breaks to buy brats in support of the Nolan family.

"We organized it earlier in the week," says Ungrodt. "We just wanted to do something, no matter what the outcome. We wanted to do something for the family showing that we're here for them. A lot of people have just been coming to do donations, which is awesome."

"People you don't even know are coming out and it's just really good to see," says Markus.

Kathy Schmaeng says she believes doing something other than dwelling on the tragedy may help Nolan's friends and family the most.

"I felt terrible about what happened and I think they need all the support they can get," says Schmaeng.

Instead of blind donations, members of the tight-knit community of Waunakee are voicing their support in person, by giving a little money and getting to know just how special Kelly was.

If you want to help the Nolan's a memorial fund has been set up for the family. Donations can be made at any U-S Bank. The brat fry at Waunakee's Piggly Wiggly continues Saturday and Sunday. It runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day.