MANATEE — After his sister’s death, Aaron Crowl took on the task of raising her six children.
Christi Charles, who was pregnant with her eighth child, and her 10-year-old son, Christopher, were killed in a vehicle accident at the intersection of State Road 64 and 48th Street Court East in May 2008.
In an instant, Crowl, 26, took the reins of parental responsibility with the help of his extended family and close friends.
Those close friends came together to organize a community fundraiser Sunday at Clancey’s Sports Bar and Grill, 6218 Cortez Road, to help Crowl, who is single, pay for the expense of raising the children.
The kids range in age from 3 to 16.
“They’re amazing friends,” he said as rock ‘n’ roll from a live band blasted over the speakers. “This will really help the kids.”
Charles was known throughout Manatee for her giving heart.
“She was one of my very, very best friends,” said Lisa Zaffino, who was one of the organizers of the event that drew more than 200 people to the popular pub. “She was one of the most selfless people in the world.
“She would ask nothing from anyone and would give to everyone. I miss her a lot.”
Krissy Bilbrey, who works at Clancey’s and has known Charles and Crowl since childhood, said she asked the owners of the bar, Rayma and Mel Stowe, if she could hold the event.
It was easy to say yes, said Clancey’s manager, Link Owen.
“Half of our employees knew Christi,” Owen said.
Crowl said dealing with the death of their mother was hard for the children at first, but they’re adjusting well.
Kristi Mellin, a close friend of Charles, owns Kids Academy Plus day care, where two of the children attend.
“It’s been a rough year for them,” Mellin said, “but they are very well taken care of by their Uncle Aaron.”
She said the children do well in day care, although Sandi, 6, sometimes talks about her mother and says she remembers the accident.
But Alejandro, 3, probably doesn’t realize what happened to his mother, Mellin said.
“They’re both doing well otherwise,” she said.
Joining in the fundraising and fun were three local motorcycle clubs — the Renegades, the Warlocks and Crazy Horse.
“We always try to support these kinds of events,” said Al Rudolph, who is the national secretary for the Renegades and knew Charles. “Especially this one because of Christi.”
Rudolph said his organization has taken on the Charles children as their charity project for this year and will make sure they have a great Christmas.
Along with monetary donations, several dozen businesses provided gifts to be auctioned.
The event reached its goal of $10,000 for the Charles children — Reyes, Heather, Nicklaus, Eddie, Sandi and Alejandro.
The owners of Clancey’s said they are willing to continue to accept donations for the children.
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