Restaurants Raise Money for West Webster Firefighters
By: Tina Shively
Updated: January 8, 2013
A packed parking lot at the Rochester location of The Distillery makes the restaurant's Director of Operations more excited today, than ever before.
Randy Slifer said "Come out anytime all day lunch dinner snacks cocktails, anything you can do to help support."
Twenty percent of the proceeds collected at all four of the area's restaurants will be donated to the families of the four firefighters impacted in the Webster tragedy.
Jerry Felgenhour has lived in Webster for 40 years.
His group of golf buddies decided to hold their weekly luncheon here, to help out.
He added "I think its incredible. I think its a great way to support the community and help out the fireman that are less fortunate that we are."
At the Genesee Brew House, the Town of Greece Professional Firefighters Association saw an opportunity to help their brothers.
Co-Organizer Jeff Gates said "We normally have a luncheon once a month, and this is our luncheon, it kind of exploded from there."
A $20 ticket bought diners a meal, drink, raffle ticket and a donation.
"I think that this was a tragedy that hit so many people on so many levels and this is something that we can do," said Joan Roby-Davison. As a former member of Group 14621, she often got help from police officers and firefighters.
She looked at today's fundraiser as a way to give back.
"I can't do anything directly for the families but this is something that we can do to help them."
Regardless of how much they collect, Gates says he is impressed, but not surprised by all the support.
"The whole community has really rallied around this whole tragedy. The goodness has been there the whole time I think they just needed a reason to bring it out."
Both fundraisers hope to collect $10,000.
