Two recent community fundraisers contributed $13,000 to the family that lost loved ones in a vehicle accident. 

The Hotel Pattee partnered with the Fareway Stores of Perry and served 800 taco salads to the community at the Hotel Pattee and La Poste with all the proceeds funding the Fuentes Gavidia family after a fatal accident, near Perry, that killed their two children and left their oldest in critical condition. Organizer of the fundraiser Jenny Eklund says she was overwhelmed with the support from Perry residents and the surrounding communities. 

“(The) idea was first brought to me by my chef, Angie. I thought, Yeah, that’s a great idea. We need to do something. So we rolled with it. I was hoping we would make $1,000, $2.000, maybe $3,000. And after the first day, Janice, my front desk lady, says, ‘See, I told you we’d do good.”

Eklund was very thankful for the Fareway Stores of Perry supplying the crucial supplies to make the taco salads and for the Hotel Pattee and every staff member involved, along with everyone that bought a taco salad. 

“I know that we can’t fix this issue, but maybe with a few dollars, ease the burden a little bit. Thing is about Perry and small communities here in Iowa. You take care of each other and this is a great example. Take care of each other in good times and in bad.”

There is also a GoFundMe page that has raised $57,000 for the family which will be linked here.