Donna Baribeau, Leigh Kendall and Sharon McCormick

By Amy Woods:

Leigh Kendall’s father lives in Joplin, Mo. His place of business was the Downstream Casino Resort. The tornadoes that ripped through the area in late May left more than 75 percent of his workers jobless.

“He has four families living in his house right now,” said Kendall, owner of A Latte Fun at Downtown at the Gardens, co-sponsor of a recent fundraiser to benefit the Downstream Tornado Relief Fund. “That’s what we’re trying to do – is help them.”

Kendall’s cousin lives in Redding, Kan. A tornado from the same severe storm system lifted her house into the air.

“There was a picture of it on the front page of the newspaper,” Kendall said.

The picture sat prominently in a frame as guests purchased tickets to the fundraiser at Cabo Flats. More than $3,000 was raised through sales (entry cost $20), a raffle ($20 for an arm's length of tickets) and donations. More than 100 attended.

“Everybody jumped on board, especially Downtown at the Gardens Management,” Kendall said.

Added Cabo Flats’ General Manager Scott Sommer, “We were so honored and really enjoyed the opportunity to help Leigh and the good folks at A Latte Fun throw a party to help such a worthy cause that had such a personal connection to our neighbor.”

The fundraiser is part of the Cabo Flats’ Cabo Cares community-service program. Cabo Cares helps local charities and causes by providing food, drinks and a home for fundraisers.