Fundraisers across Longview and Kalama raise money for families affected by the Nippon Dynawave accident, which killed 11 people.
LONGVIEW, Wash. — At Bob’s Sporting Goods in downtown Longview, a line formed around the parking lot. Community BBQ Raising funds for families affected by the paper mill disaster.
“People just kept coming, and it was unreal for us to have everyone come out on Thursday night,” said Terry Carlson, president of the Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Central Labor Council.
Longview after injury 11 people were killed On Tuesday, a tank imploded at Japan’s Dynawave factory.
So people are being encouraged to “do what they can” at Saturday’s community barbecue, with all proceeds going to families affected by the accident.
“It’s heartbreaking that such an important part of the community and so many people in the community are experiencing this level of loss, so it’s really encouraging to see other members of the community step up and want to take care of everyone and put aside all their differences,” said Longview resident Chelsea Chandler.
Across town, multiple vendors at the Cowlitz Community Farmers Market, including Easy Peasy Lemonade, donate a portion of their proceeds to the families.
“I was lying in bed on Tuesday, the day it happened, and I knew I had to do something to contribute to this, so this was the only way I could really help in some way,” said Lindsay Dines, owner of Easy Peasy Lemonade.
Fifty percent of Easy Peasy’s proceeds go directly to helping these families.
People who spoke to KGW in line were touched by the act of kindness, with some grabbing a glass of lemonade after seeing the fundraiser posted online because the tragedy was too cruel for them to talk about.
“A lot of new faces that I haven’t seen yet,” Deans said. “I come here every Saturday, but there are a lot of new faces who are just showing up because they know local businesses want to help these families in any way they can.”
Even in Calama, people want to help in any way they can.
“Absolutely heartbreaking,” said Red Leaf Coffee Kalama owner Maddy Ellis. “I feel like in times like this, there’s nothing you can do but come together, and I feel like we’re a strong community through and through. We’ve always come together, and right now, that’s what we need to do.”
Ellis said 100 percent of Sunday sales at the Kalama Red Leaf store will be donated to the affected families.
