CROSBY Much of this community turned out to aid a fundraising effort on behalf of Ronnie Ellender last Saturday.
According to brother, Mike Ellender, It is a real good turnout, Ronnie did a lot of things to help the community, he definitely needs the help now though.
Ronnie was struck by a vehicle as he was standing near the roadside on May 2 on Beltway 8 at Fairmont Parkway.
He had got out of his truck and was hit before he got back in it. The man that struck him, I think, they ended up charging him with failure to maintain a single lane even though he left the scene of the accident. He went to the Home Depot on Fairmont Parkway to call police. Fortunately, there were people where it happened that pulled up and blocked Ronnie from being hit again and called an ambulance.
Lifeflight was called to fly him to Hermann Hospital. He stayed in ICU. for over a month before his condition improved and he was moved from ICU. Damage to the right side of his face was extensive and there were multiple fractures to his foot and ankle area. He and his family face a long road of rehabilitation and surgery and a challenging recovery with no current planned release date from the hospital.
Fund-raising efforts were organized by Dianna McDaniels, featuring Rodney Foster as auctioneer, much of the Crosby Fair & Rodeo Board of Directors attending including familiar bid catchers. The Fairgrounds were packed for the event, examples of generous bidding including a puppy for $500 and a bicycle that retails for about $100 sold for $300.
This is the best town to live in because everybody helps as a community, said Mike.
Ronnie and his wife Lisa Peters Ellender are lifelong Crosby residents and have been very active in many volunteer efforts in the community.