Shortly after arriving at work at the Park Restaurant, 1015 North Jackson Street, the morning of Dec. 17, 2009, Tracy Isgrigg and Julia Leonard smelled gas.
As a precautionary measure they called restaurant manager Larry Conover to check and make sure everything was in working order. A short time later a fire broke out in the 100-year-old establishment and the building was destroyed.
Following an investigation it was found that natural gas had filled the sub-roof area of the structure and was ignited when the gas stove was turned on.
As a result of the fire nearly 30 employees lost their jobs that morning. Many have been unable to find work and a number are single parents with the loss of weekly income causing serious financial stress.
A group of friends recently decided to host a fundraising event to help offset the loss of wages until a new restaurant can be built on the site of the original Park Restaurant.
The Knights of Columbus will be the site of a benefit March 27.
“We will be cooking chicken and fish with our recipe. It will be all you can eat and the meal will include assorted sides, a drink and desert,” Conover said.
Conover continued by saying that Park Restaurant employees will be cooking and providing table service for the evening.
Dinner will be served from 5:30 to 8 p.m. with entertainment and a live and silent auction will be held to generate funds.
The cost of the dinner is $8 per person and a free-will donation will be taken during the entertainment portion of the evening, with all monies generated being divided between the employees.
DJ Mark Hackler will provide his services in the dinning hall and Frank Denzler will DJ and host karaoke on the other side of the K of C in the lounge.
The public is welcome to attend.
Frank Denzler can be contacted at (765) 932-2222 ext. 106 or via e-mail at frank.denzler@rushvillerepublican.com. To add a comment to this story visit our Web site at www.rushvillerepublican.com.
