Crabtree family raises money for #LiveLikeCharlie fund

Crabtree
The family of Charlie Crabtree has decided to create the #LiveLikeCharlie fund to help give back to the community. (Facebook/Unit 5)

 

By Neil Doyle

NORMAL – The family of Charlie Crabtree has decided to honor his legacy by giving back to the community just as he once did.

Crabtree, 72, died Dec. 5 after a Normal West bus crashed head on with a semi on I-74.

Crabtree was a long time volunteer at the school as a scorekeeper, P.A. announcer and highly dedicated fan.

After seeing how much Charlie meant to the community, Crabtree’s daughter Nikki Segobiano said the family decided to create the #LiveLikeCharlie fund.

“He made a friend everywhere he went but I didn’t realize how much he truly touched people,” said Segobiano.  “It motivated me even more to spread kindness to people so I came up with the hashtag #LiveLikeCharlie.”

The family recently held an apparel fundraiser with custom #LiveLikeCharlie clothing.  The fundraiser ended Monday and over 120 orders were placed.

“The money raised will go towards the fund and will be donated to the students in Unit 5, different charities and also random acts of charity to put a smile on people’s faces just like my dad did,” Segobiano added.

Segobiano said more fundraisers to honor her father’s legacy are planned for the future.

Neil Doyle can be reached at [email protected]

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…