Charlie Bowl held to remember young cancer fighter, raise funds

By PAMELA GRANT

Cove Leader-Press

The McConnell family celebrated Charlie McConnell’s life by hosting an event they call the “Charlie Bowl” in her honor.

This year’s Charlie Bowl was held Saturday at Ogletree Gap Park from noon until 6 p.m. They had bounce houses and a variety of games and activities for families to play. They also had a raffle and sold baked goods and drinks to help raise money. Half of the funds raised will be donated to Baylor Scott & White McLane Children’s Medical Center where Charlie McConnell was treated. The other 50 percent will be donated to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Last year they raised about $3,000. This year they hoped to raise $5,000.

Charlie McConnell was diagnosed with alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma in 2019. After undergoing years of treatments, her body gave out in January 2023. To honor the life she lived, her family hosts the Charlie Bowl.

“This is my way of expressing my gratitude to her…It’s a childhood cancer awareness event,” said Molly McConnell, Charlie’s twin sister, who helped organize the event. “Cancer isn’t something that people are often open about discussing.”

The Charlie Bowl is a fun, community event for the youth. Molly McConnell said that Charlie had a passion for helping others. She loved sports and was a big football and soccer fan. She described her as happy-go-lucky.

“She was the best of us,” said McConnell.

Scott Robison and Jennifer Robison attended the event to support cancer awareness, remember Charlie McConnell, and support Charlie’s family. 

Robison talked about how, despite being sick, Charlie continued to take photographs of the football team and hang out with the athletes. 

“Charlie had a lot of grit. She never let you know that she was sick,” said Scott Robison.

Ariana Sannicolas, owner of Gratitude Coffee attended the event, selling “Charlie’s drink”. Any purchases of “Charlie’s drink” are donated towards supporting the Charlie Bowl.

Sannicolas described Charlie McConnel as a giving person—the kind of girl to give the shirt off her back. She said that she loved seeing so many people supporting the Charlie Bowl.

“It’s fun seeing how happy people are here because that’s what [Charlie] would want,” said Sannicolas.