The results are in, report volunteers with the Mohawk Valley Stewardship Council. As a result of a benefit event to help the victims of the Sept. 15 fire on Bonta Street in Blairsden, over $42,000 was raised. This included a substantial donation made at the event on behalf of the Nakoma Resort. Both Gumba’s Family Pizza restaurant and The Village Baker were destroyed in the fire and will share this gift from the community.
“The place was packed!” said volunteer John Lullo of the Oct. 15 fundraising event at the Graeagle Fire Hall, organized to aid victims of the fire. The “prime mover” for the event was Tim Buckhout, said Lullo. Buckhout and Lullo are both volunteer members of MVSC, the steward of White Sulphur Springs Ranch in Clio.
As usual, Gumba’s was going to donate a percentage of the day’s proceeds on Sept. 20 to support WSSR restoration. The fire put an end to the 2023 event. “Tim thought it was time for a payback,” said Lullo. “It was time for WSSR to come to the aid of the victims of this tragedy.” Buckhout and other WSSR volunteers called on the community to rally and they did so “in great style,” said Lullo. The event sold out: 250-plus citizens paid $50 apiece for a ranch-style barbecue and “a lot of camaraderie.”
Students from Portola Junior-Senior High School athletic teams acted as helpers. “It was a way to show their appreciation for how Gumba’s had supported their teams over the years,” said Lullo. A silent auction featured items largely donated by local businesses and individuals. Dinner was served by the Gumba’s staff, who were described as “family” by Elizabeth and Matt Cruse, owners of the restaurant.
Organizers offered special thanks to US Foods and Model Dairy for donating the food and dessert, and to Clarky’s BBQ Smoke and More and Millie’s for preparing it. A complete list of all the business donors appears at http://www.WhiteSulphurSpringsRanch.com.
“The community should be proud of how they responded to the needs of the fire victims,” said Lullo. “It was an event that will live long in the memory of all those attending. Gumba’s restaurant and The
Village Baker got help from the customers they served for so many years.”
Information submitted by Mohawk Valley Stewardship Council