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Nearly four weeks after a boat crash on Big Marco Pass near Marco Island killed her mother, brother, sister and soon-to-be brother-in-law, 16-year-old Jennifer Molter, the sole survivor of the crash, said the tragedy has brought her "a lot closer" to her father, Alan Molter.

"It's been hard, but we've been spending a lot of time together and try to stay positive," Jennifer said Thursday morning, while working at Straight from New York Bagels in North Naples.

"We've been getting along really good," she said.

Jennifer did not want to discuss the accident, but said her family appreciates the outpouring of support from the community.

"It's unbelievable how nice everybody has been," she said. "Me and my dad appreciate everything that everybody is doing for us."

Alan Molter said he and his family are doing a little better in the weeks since the accident. Jennifer, who earned her GED a few months ago and no longer goes to school, returned to work at the bagel shop on Jan. 19.

"She thinks she's 21," Alan Molter said.

Alan Molter returned to his job at a lawn maintenance company almost immediately after the accident, he said.

"I had to," he said. "I can't just sit around and cry.

"I've got to make a living to keep this place," he said, referring to his home at 15095 Summit Place Circle.

The family has had a difficult time paying bills since the accident, and is fighting to stay afloat financially, Jennifer said.

"We haven't been doing too good financially," she said. "Now that it's just me and (my dad), we've been having a hard time paying the mortgage."

In the last month at least two major fundraisers have come together to benefit Jennifer and Alan Molter.

The first fundraiser, a 50-boat "fun run," is scheduled to kick off at 11 a.m. on Saturday. The fun run is being hosted by Fort Myers Offshore, a group of offshore boating enthusiasts based in Southwest Florida, said organizer Bob Barnhart. The group hopes to raise as much as $25,000 for "The Jennifer Molter Trust," to help send Jennifer to college.

The 50 boats are scheduled to depart from the Sanibel Island Bridge at 11 a.m. and make their way down to Bayfront Naples. Each driver is making a $100 contribution to the fund, Barnhart said, and the group is asking that each additional passenger make a $25 to $50 donation. The high-powered boats should pass by the Naples Pier around 11:30 a.m., Barnhart said.

"We've got people coming down from Canada to do the event with us this weekend," Barnhart said. "There are people that have come down from Chicago and people that have come down from New Jersey. It's really widespread, the support for it."

A raffle will be held at Bayfront Naples, and donation boxes will be set up, Barnhart said. The 50 boats will be on display from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m., he said.

"Some of these boats are the most exotic offshore boats that you will find in North America or in the world," Barnhart said. "There's million-dollar boats in this fleet. It's quite a spectacular event."

The group is also hosting an online auction at www.offshoreonly.com, which is scheduled to close at 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Some of the items being auctioned off are a week at a three-bed, three-bath beachfront condo on Marco Island, a boat-lettering job and a 1999 New York Yankees World Series jersey signed by pitcher Mariano Rivera.

Anyone interested in participating in the auction should contact Barnhart at (239) 776-0481 or at bobthebuilder@rogers.blackberry.net.

A second benefit -- a dinner for Jennifer and Alan Molter -- is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 20 at the new Elks Lodge, 3950 Radio Road, Furlani said. The benefit will feature British comedian Jimmy Keys, and live music from the Powerhouse Band, Ray Nesbit, Wonderful Johnson, and David Johnson and Michael Goods.

"Not only is it for a good cause, but from what I'm told, this is going to be a pretty happening night of entertainment," Furlani said.

Furlani said he's hoping to raise $15,000 with the benefit dinner, which should help the family pay bills.

"I know there is a hardship there because they relied on the mother's income," Furlani said.

Anyone interested in attending the dinner can call Vince Furlani at (239) 293-8852.