There may be a number of GoFundMe campaigns to support the Red Chimney, but this one is coming from Pete and Lou, the whole family, and all the workers.

The fire at the Red Chimney restaurant in Slavic Village was devastating for a host of reasons. The physical damage was extensive, and is likely to take some time to fix — not days, or weeks, but months. But on a deeper level our community lost, at least for a while, a community institution — a gathering place, a good spot to pick up neighborhood gossip or meet a friend, a reliable source of good, healthy, inexpensive meal, a place where they know your name, and you know theirs.

The other loss, of course, is for the family and workers, and that’s the sole focus of this GoFundMe campaign.

There were 17 workers at the Red Chimney when the fire started 6 days ago. Most of those workers, like folks around here, made just living wages (or survived on tips). Unemployment will help for some, but as everyone knows, unemployment only covers a certain percentage of your previous income. In addition, unemployment won’t help the wait staff who relied on tips.

So this appeal is simple, and comes from the family: they need your help covering living expenses for perhaps as long as six months.

Let’s do this. I know most of the folks there, and they are wonderful people, people who have come in every day to serve and support our community. Let’s serve and support them.