‘Feels great to help’: Business owners fundraise for Dixie County family of six killed in fire

OLD TOWN, Fla. (WCJB) - The deaths of a family of six have shaken the Dixie County community. Now, some business owners are fundraising to help with funeral and other related expenses.

People and businesses are wasting no time to step in and help the Pinner family, including Papa Luigi’s in Old Town.

50% of all proceeds will be donated to the family until next Wednesday, Feb. 25.

“We’ve known the family a long time, and their mother is very devastated. It was him, his wife, and the four kids,” shared Dylan Walker, who works at Papa Luigi’s. “They just recently adopted two kids they were taking care of, very young kids, and it’s just devastating for them. I mean, the mother is it’s tragic to her. She loved her grandkids. She took them everywhere, took them to church. I mean, she loved the family.”

Charles “Jelly Roll” Pinner Jr., his wife Lori, and four young children died in a house fire early Tuesday morning. Community members say the family was a joy to be around and always supported local businesses.

“They have really blessed us with everything we have, and they’ve taken care of us, as far as business goes,” Walker shared. “So we just find that it’s great to give back, and we think it’s our duty from God to give back to the community and help every body in the way they’ve helped us, and took care of us. It just feels great to help.”

And the owner of Horns and Scales Outfitters in Chiefland is also holding a fundraiser in the form of an auction on Friday.

“This is our community too, and we want to help everybody out just like everyone’s helped us,” said Amanda Cannon, owner of Horns and Scales Outfitters. “As I said, we’re a small store starting out, and everyone has just sent so much love for us to start out, and I’d love to bring that forward, especially to jelly roll and his family, who’s always been here supporting us, and I want to be able to support them as well.”

Cannon said she grew up in Dixie County and knew the Pinner family well. Friday’s auction will be held online, starting at 8 a.m. and ending at 6 p.m.

Cannon said people donated rifles, a registered fox hound, and gift cards from local businesses.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, and the community is wasting no time giving back to a family who always supported them.

Here’s a list of fundraisers we’ve gathered so far:

• Community members are also organizing memorial T-shirt sales, with proceeds benefiting funeral costs. Organizers say shirts honor Charles Pinner and his family and will be produced after orders are collected.
• 50% of the proceeds from Papa Luigi’s from Feb. 18 through Feb. 25 will go to the family.
• First Baptist Church of Old Town announced upcoming offerings and benefit events, including a special love offering during Sunday services and a future benefit concert to support the family.
• Horns and Scales Outfitters is hosting an online auction on Friday, Feb. 20.
• Benefit dinner for the Pinner family on Friday, Feb. 27.

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