BOZEMAN, Mont. – City Commissioner I-Ho Pomeroy partnered with Run Dog Run and HRDC on Sunday to host a fundraiser to benefit two natural disaster relief efforts.
Any customer who came to Pomeroy’s Restaurant between 11 and 2 p.m was able to eat for free, as long as they gave a donation. The money was collected by the non-profit Run Dog Run, which will split the proceeds, giving half to a fund for families who lost their homes in the Horseshoe Fire near Clarkston, and the other half to a fund to help people impacted by Hurricane Florence.
“We are very blessed. People in this community are very kind and very generous and they are willing to help other people, so we are very blessed,” said Pomeroy.
Pomeroy’s fellow commissioner, Terry Cunningham, helped out by waiting on tables throughout the day. He said by seeing the number of people who showed up, the event was a clear success.
“We see it time and time again, that folks in Bozeman step up and say it didn’t happen to me but it could happen to me tomorrow,” said Cunningham.
Michael Foust is originally from North Carolina and still has family and friends who live there. He ordered food to go to show his support for his old home.
“When you are in need and if you have lived through a hurricane you know that it is not just about supplies but really restoring a sense of calmness and care, and people really reach out and extend a welcome hand,” said Foust. “It really does make a difference in your psychology of how you really begin to think about tomorrow.”
Pomeroy says no matter where natural disasters take place in the world one thing is clear: the Bozeman community is eager to help.
