First off, thank you so much for taking the time to read this. It's a situation that has shaken my family, and left my parents feeling very defeated.
My parents are humble people and do not like asking for help, but given the overwhelming amount of outreach, and a city deadline for cleanup - we decided to start a gofundme.
This is the general write up I had on social media:
"I generally don't like to post too much about my personal life on here, but I wanted to share something that makes me sad.
Here are my parents.
A few days ago, somebody set fire to their restaurant, Fortune Cookie, and an adjoining lot. Thankfully, the restaurant was saved before it was destroyed, but the storage lot was burnt to the ground. Restaurant equipment, raw building materials, decorations, my parent's car, an RV we used to take family vacations in, etc... All lost.
My folks started this restaurant in 1982, and by all intents and purposes, it should be considered a pillar in the area. They feel very defeated. Hate wins this round.
I don't truly know the arsonists' intent, but there is a troubling trend going on here. Not too long ago, in the same town, a father and his two children (aged 2 and 6) were viciously attacked at a SAM's Club by somebody wielding a knife. The knifeman attacked the family because he thought they were 'Chinese and spreading the coronavirus.' This is also the same SAM's Club that my parents shop at.
Hateful and divisive rhetoric goes a long way in small towns. Larger towns are not immune to it, but they are much better insulated. There is a pulse and a face that gets affected by words of animosity.
Reject hate and hateful racial rhetoric.
Act with compassion."
Unfortunately, the storage lot was uninsured, and everything on it is considered a total loss. Any amount will go to my parents and clean up. The city has requested we clean up all the burnt materials, and issued a deadline. My parents are both 65+ years old, and my siblings and I, all live in different cities/states. Any amount will help a long way.
Lastly, thank you. Your kindness is truly felt.