Hundreds of community members rallied for an Akron family who lost their home in a fatal plane crash by attending a benefit dinner May 20.
All proceeds from the rigatoni dinner held at the Army Navy 250 Club in Coventry Township was donated to the Laudato family.
On May 14 Colton “C.J.” Laudato was home working in the basement while his two children, ages 5 and 1, were asleep upstairs when a boom shook their house on Canterbury Circle.
A single-engine plane had crashed into their home, killing the plane’s pilot-owner and a flight instructor.
Laudato was able to rush upstairs and get the children and family dog. His wife, Ashley, was at work when the crash happened. Their home was engulfed in flames and they lost everything.
Stacy King, vice president of the Ladies Auxiliary Army Navy 250, said that she was painting picnic tables when she heard all of the sirens coming into the neighborhood.
“I couldn’t sleep that night. The next day I called my commander and asked him if we could do an emergency benefit event or raise money to help this family, and he said ‘of course,'” King said.
The dinner featured pasta, salad and pastries for dessert.
‘It’s overwhelming in a good way’
Since the accident, Laudato said his family has received nothing but support from people all over the city and state.
Residents have set up a Meal Train to provide food for the family and an Amazon wish list of things that people can buy or donate to replace some of what was lost.
“It’s incredible to see so many people come together in so many ways,” he said. “My family and I appreciate it so much, it’s truly amazing. It’s overwhelming in a good way.”
For the time being, he and his family are living with his mom as they navigate the next steps. He stated that he lost his truck and many family memorabilia such as photos.
“It wasn’t a whole lot coming out of the house, unfortunately,” Laudato said.
He extended his condolences to the families of the two who died; their bodies haven’t been identified yet.
Kentucky resident drives to fundraiser
Theresa Jarvis, a Portage Lakes native who now lives in Kentucky, came to the dinner because she saw a family in need and wanted to help.
“What a hero that dad is, I’m here paying tribute to that family,” Jarvis said.
Though she doesn’t personally know the family, she said they were a friend of a friend and she wanted to make the trip.
“When you can see people coming together for a family when a disaster happens, it’s nice. I’m glad they made it out,” Jarvis said.
Christine Laudato, C.J.’s mother, set up a GoFundMe page for anyone who would like to help.
Alisson Toro-Lagos can be reached at atorolagos@usatodayco.com
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Hundreds of residents attend fundraiser for Akron plane crash family
Reporting by Alisson Toro-Lagos, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
