Community members showed their support for the Churchill family last week after Randy Churchill Jr., 39, was killed by a falling tree in an accident Feb. 22.
Parks and Recreation Coordinator Lucy Robinson organized a community walk last Sunday to raise money for the family and about 50 people showed up. “There were a few really close family members there that joined us,” said Robinson. “There were good conversations.”
She planned the walk to create an outlet for community members to express their support in-person and provide financial assistance to the family. The event “allows an opportunity for folks to come together and really show physical support,” she said. “We all feel it. We’re all family.”
The walk raised about $1,000, which will be deposited into the Churchill Benefit Account at First Bank. Community members who were unable to attend the walk can still contribute by visiting the bank in-person and depositing into the account. Robinson is working on a GoFundMe campaign that could allow people out-of-town to contribute — it will likely be available in the coming weeks.
Churchill is survived by his wife, Celsee, and children Randy III, Della and Titan.
J&W’s Fast Food donated all their profits Sunday to the family, raising $5,000 in three hours, which is the largest sum the business has ever generated during a benefit fundraiser. The volume of customers even exceeded the number that the restaurant typically sees on the Fourth of July, the owners wrote in a post to the Community Facebook page.
“I just want to thank you Wrangell for giving us a platform to witness the incredible giving nature that you show when people are in their darkest hour,” J&W’s co-owner, Josh Young, wrote. He also thanked his wife and daughters for handling the intense mealtime rush.
“Randy really meant a lot to us,” he added. “His absence has left a massive hole in our hearts.”
Josh and Clarissa Young bought the business from Randy Churchill Jr.’s parents in 2015.
Shawna Buness of Sweet Tides bakery organized a meal train, which has also seen an overwhelming response. The meal train was set up to provide the Churchills and their extended family with two weeks of dinners, but the online sign-up was filled “almost immediately,” said Sweet Tides co-owner Devyn Johnson, so the effort expanded to include breakfasts and lunches.
“Food goes a long way,” said Johnson. After the two weeks are up, Sweet Tides will discuss the family’s food needs and come up with a plan moving forward.
The accident occurred just before 6 a.m. Feb. 22 near Pats Lake, about 11 miles south of town. The Wrangell Police Department received a 911 call requesting an ambulance from Churchill’s companion, who had been cutting trees with him.
When police and fire personnel arrived at the scene, responders removed the fallen tree and emergency medical services personnel began performing lifesaving procedures. Churchill was taken to the hospital, where he passed away.
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