Plaza Midwood pub raises money for wife of man killed by fallen tree

CHARLOTTE — A community is pitching in to help the family of a man who was killed when a tree fell onto his east Charlotte apartment.

Charlotte Fire said early Monday morning, a tree fell on an apartment building in east Charlotte. The police report says the tree was struck by lightning before it fell, trapping multiple people inside the building.

On Wednesday, Workman’s Friend, an Irish pub in Plaza Midwood, posted to their Instagram page saying Paul Saunders is the man who died.

Saunders’ wife Shaleen, who was also hurt in the incident, works at Workman’s Friend. Her husband played with a band that performs there.

The pub is asking for the community to rally around her to help with funeral costs.

“The road ahead for her will not be an easy one, but with the love and support from our strong community, together we can help lift her up and take what little stress we can off of her,” the post reads.

>> Click here to contribute to the GoFundMe.

Channel 9’s Ken Lemon spoke with a few of her co-workers who are coming together to help their family.

“Paul was a great guy, had a very contagious laugh, good smile,” said general manager Tanner Childs.

The couple’s wedding picture, which Workman’s Friend posted to Instagram, conveys how happy Paul and Shaleen Saunders were and the connection they had to their jobs.

“She not only lost her husband, but lost her home,” Childs said.

The couple met and married at Connelly’s, a sister restaurant. Their co-workers, including Childs, were there to celebrate.

“The upstairs was packed full of people. Their personal life is a very big part of our company’s,” he said.

Shaleen is now out of the hospital and hasn’t been able to return to work. Both of them are missed at Workman’s Friend but not forgotten.

“We are all here for you,” Childs said.

They are now pushing the effort to help the grieving wife, co-worker, and good friend.

“Whatever you need from us, we will go to the ends of the earth for you,” Childs said.

He said he wants to make sure Shaleen knows she has their full support when she is ready to come back to work.

(WATCH BELOW: Road rage turns into shooting at Plaza Midwood intersection)

Road rage turns into shooting at Plaza Midwood intersection

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