Fundraiser held for child of Ensley mass shooting victim

A well-known private business club is reaching out to the family of a murder victim.

Jonathan Sanchez worked at the Summit Club in Birmingham. He was also one of the five men killed during a robbery in Ensley at the beginning of this year. Now, the Summit Club has planned a fundraiser to help Sanchez's daughter with medical needs.

Every year, the club holds a charity classic to support three charities. This year, that includes one that supports ALS research, one that helps Summit Club employees with finances during a crisis, and a new one called Amelia's Smile.

Amelia Sanchez is like any two-year-old, enjoying singing and playing with dolls. But she's also had her share of medical challenges already in her young life. 

"When she was born, she had a tumor in her mouth. And when she was four days old they removed it and it left her with a cleft palate," her mother, Ravenn Carlton said.

Amelia underwent surgery Feb. 6 to repair her palate. That was just two days after her mother buried her father, Jonathan.

Before his death, Sanchez worked as a cook at the club. 

"And for them to get started off the bat, it wasn't a long process, just very...I'm still speechless. But I'm happy," Carlton said.

The money will be used to help pay for future surgeries Amelia faces. But more than that, Carlton says she hopes the charity will stand as a reflection on the work Sanchez did. It's something Carlton hopes Amelia can one day look back on and be proud.

"Her condition also, to let her know, no matter what God has for you, everything is going to be okay," Carlton said.

If you would like to donate to Amelia's Smile and the other charities, please visit clubcorpcharityclassic.com.

Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.