It didn’t take Duluthians long to come to the aid of the people displaced by a fire overnight.
Forty residents were displaced by the early-morning fire at the Kozy Apartments.
“This job is at least a $20,000 job, so the big thing for the Red Cross is finding the money to pay for the food, the shelter and the clothing,” a Red Cross spokesman told MPR News.
Carla Blumberg, who owns the Chester Creek Cafe in Duluth, didn’t waste time. She posted an idea on the Perfect Duluth Day blog:
Can we put a fundraiser together between now and Sunday? Here is what Chester Creek Cafe will do:
1.) Set up a bank account to receive donations to Kozy residents.
2.) Take the 7pm to 10pm shift for a multiple site benefit – we clean out the “library” room for concert-style seating and prepare a “Spaghetti feed” type meal to be sold for (say) $15 to $20 — all of which will go to the Kozy fund. Any donations of clothing or other stuff will be available for Kozy residents. Kozy residents will also get a free meal that night.
3.) We will give any participating musicians and performers (Fire spinners?) a $15 gift certificate and a free meal.
A few hours later, she had it put together:
Hey All, We’re getting this in gear and need all of your help. Music is coming along and now we would like to see if any local artists would be willing to come set up and donate any or all portions of their sales to the Kozy residents fund. This will be a great night helping out our fellow community members and lots of fun!! Christmas is coming, let’s do double duty!! You can call Alicia or Carla to get a space on Sunday night to help out with this effort…..(218) 724-6811 Thanks!!
(Video courtesy of KBJR-TV)