Dining to help Cache Valley fire victims
On Monday night some of Cache Valley came together and raised more than $12,000 to help the 17 victims of last week’s fatal fires in Logan and Smithfield.
Saul Merida, a chef at the North Logan restaurant Hamiltons was a resident of the Logan four-plex damaged by last week’s fire.
“After the fire, we thought we wanted to do something to try and make a difference,” said Justin Hamilton, owner of both Hamiltons and Café Sabor in Logan, “not only for Saul, but for all the people who lived there.”
Hamilton said he decided to partner with the American Red Cross and donate Monday night sales revenue from Café Sabor and Hamiltons to the victims of the fires.
“We wanted to do something that wouldn’t put too much of a strain on people, but they would still be able to make a difference,” Hamilton said. “We figured everyone has to eat.”
Hamilton contacted all of his suppliers to see if they would donate the products the restaurants would use in the fund raiser. All the vendors agreed to donate, he said.
“Then I approached the employees to see if they would be willing to donate their salaries and tips for the day,” Hamilton said. “They agreed to donate the money they felt they could afford, and I agreed to donate all the money made from sales.”
The night of giving was then marketed to the community, and people came in droves. Parking lots were overflowing with vehicles. The lobbies were packed. One man invited his entire LDS ward to eat dinner at Hamiltons – and he covered the cost for more than 100 people in his party.
The fire department officials brought their wives. Business men came in groups. People came from out of town. It was like a Friday night at both restaurants, Hamilton said.
In tips alone, more than $1,700 was donated from Caf̩ Sabor, and more than $1,800 from Hamiltons Рnot including the party of 100.
The money raised will be distributed through the Red Cross as needed, Hamilton said.
“The victims of the Jan. 19 fires have places to live now, but almost nothing to fill those homes,” said Red Cross volunteer Katie Jo Nielsen. “They need new furniture and appliances. They really have nothing, but what people have donated.”
The Red Cross only gives new donations – at this point, money is really what the families are in need of to replace the things they lost in the fire, Nielsen said.
The money donated by Hamiltons and Café Sabor is exactly what these families need, Nielsen said.
“I have volunteered with families who have been affected by disasters for six years and I have never seen a community that is more giving,” she said. “When something happens to people in the community, other people really step up and help take care of them – that doesn’t happen everywhere.”
“It was a great opportunity to see everyone come together in the spirit of giving,” Hamilton said. “It’s good to see a community come together and rally behind each other to help take care of one of its own.”
-apassey@cc.usu.edu