Donors turn out to two events to help fire victims

A crowd gathers at the Pizza Stone on Monday night. All photos by Shawn Cunningham.

By Shawn Cunningham
©2015 Telegraph Publishing LLC

Pleasant Street in Chester was lined with cars and the Pizza Stone was crowded on Monday night, March 16, as droves of people turned out to help those who have lost their homes to fires this winter.

Two dozen restaurants, markets and food manufacturers donated tables of food for a potluck supper and cash donations were taken at the door to benefit the Monier family, Andrew Ojanen, the Lavallee family and the DeStefano family of Grafton. All lost their homes to fires between Dec. 14, 2014 and March 6, 2015.

Patrons of the Pizza Stone line up for food provided by area restaurants for the fund-raiser.

As of Tuesday morning, the GoFundMe campaign for the Lavallees had raised just over $3,000, while the GoFundMe campaign for the Moniers had raised almost $38,000.

On Tuesday evening, the Stone Hearth Inn played host to a St. Patrick’s Day fund-raiser for the fire victims. At 6:30 the room was filling up and the band – lead by local musician Thom Huntington —  was arriving and setting up.

Musician Thom Huntington begins to warm up the St. Patrick’s Day crowd at the Stone Hearth Inn.

According to inn owner Francy Anderson, in addition to collections and raffles to raise funds during the evening, the inn was donating a portion of its sales to the effort. Like the previous night’s event, the fund was earmarked for the three families and Andrew Ojanen who lost their homes to fires.

An early count of Monday’s event estimates the collection at more than $3,000, and when all is said and done, will include tips donated by Pizza Stone staff.

On Wednesday morning, Anderson reported that $2,300 was raised at the Saint Patrick’s party with raffle prizes donated by Meditrina, Farrell Distributing, the Weston Playhouse, Okemo Mountain, Killington and the Stone Hearth Inn. There was also a 50-50 raffle at the end of the evening.

The Stone Hearth gets busy with its Tuesday night fund-raiser.

For Monday’s potluck, food donations were made by:

• Black River Produce and Slaughterhouse
• The Bryant House
• Grandma Miller’s
• Southern Pie Co.
• Drew’s All Natural
• Deep River Snacks
• Vermont Fresh Pasta
• Lisai’s Chester Market
• Smokin’ Bowls
• Valley Cafe
• Flat Iron Exchange
• The Free Range
• Singleton’s
• Baba a Louis Bakery
• Crow’s Corner Bakery
• Heritage Deli and Bakery
• Donovan’s
• Shona Grill
• Halladay’s Florist
• Chester American Legion
• Phelps Barn
• The 5 Spot
• Killarney
• Country Girl Diner