Middletown Restaurant Raises Money to Aid Chilean Family

Roaming Main Street on a Monday afternoon, one doesn't have to look far to see the generosity of local businesses and nonprofits. This week is no exception.

Brew Bakers, a local restaurant that serves up delectable dishes every morning and afternoon, welcomes Middletown residents to join them in their efforts to raise money for a Chilean family who has lost everything. Just one family of many left victims of the 8.8 magnitude earthquake that shook the very existence of Chile February 27, 2010, they were caught in the middle of a natural disaster and left to live in a village of ruin.

Eloise Tencher, the owner of Brew Bakers, has family ties to Chile and cites the stories of her friends and relatives left at the mercy of a natural disaster as her inspiration. Her uncle, in Chile during the earthquake, managed to survive after his building collapsed while he was on the 15th floor. His bravery and courage to not give up even when it seemed like the world was against him has inspired Eloise to fundraise for the fellow family in need.

"Anything helps," Tencher says. "The donations all go directly to the family to help them recover after such unfortunate events, and not only help them financially, but symbolize the love from American people."

Few families have gone through the series of unfortunate events this Chilean family has faced in the last couple of years. The mother, abandoned by her husband not long ago, is the sole caregiver left to care for her children and after the earthquake her life changed forever. Within an hour, she had lost everything: her house, her clothes, belongings and friends were forever trapped under the rubble of the small village she used to call home. 

Now nomads, her family stays with family friends in Chile, while she tries to regain control of her life and strives for financial independence. This was just the beginning. Within a couple months, her life underwent another drastic change: her grandfather and daughter got into a car accident and as a result her daughter was paralyzed. 

Struggling to provide the essentials, she sought out medical aid and therapy for her daughter. Fortunately, she found the aid she needed, and a couple of physical therapists volunteered to help her recover, but their help alone is not enough to care for her daughter.

Fragmented, unfortunate and forlorn, this family fights for survival. Every penny counts. Every donation goes to support the family seeking aid.

Brew Bakers has already raised nearly $700 and hopes to reach their goal of $1,000 by October. 

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