CURWENSVILLE – Members of a community that suffered the loss of two young boys in a fire earlier this week pulled together to help the victims of the fire.
Lezzer Lumber Inc. held a fund raising lunch, with employee Chris Bryan cooking up hamburgers and hot dogs. Items such as food, tables, chairs, a cooker and others were donated for the event by area businesses.
“The response has been overwhelming,” said Janice Aleksivich, marketing and advertising director for Lezzer.
Aleksivich said that the idea for the event formed earlier in the week. The idea originally started as an employee fundraiser. It was soon turned into a public event.
All of the proceeds from the event will go to the family. A 50/50 was held as was a simple donation jar.
One anonymous person donated $200 early in the event.
“We looked in the jar and saw two $100 bills,” said Aleksivich.
The event started at 11 a.m. and lasted until 1 p.m. Before noon, a runner had to be sent for more hamburgers.
According to Aleksivich, Bryan and fellow Lezzer employee Dee Holland were the masterminds behind fundraiser.
“It seems like a great turnout,” said Bryan. He also added that on top of the local donations corporate donations were also obtained.
Sponsors of the event included: Denny’s Beer Barrel Pub, West Side Distributing, JG Food Warehouse, Goodman’s Foodliner, the Central Hotel, the Smokehouse, Northwest Savings Bank, WCPA and WQYX, Q102, wOK!w, GantDaily, Reed Brothers Tool & Equipment, the Tool Shed, and the Curwensville Civic Center.
Some employees also provided food for the event as well.
“Thanks to all the people who donated,” added Bryan.
Aleksivich reported that the benefit lunch raised more than $5,000 with donations still coming in. More than 400 hamburgers and 400 hot dogs were cooked during the fundraiser.
The winner of the 50/50 winner was Sheri Weber from Curwensville, who won $57.