Salmon Arm citizens have again proved they have generous hearts.
An online site has already raised almost $12,000 to help the Sato family, whose 22-month-old daughter Aumie is fighting for her life in Children’s Hospital in Vancouver.
Aumie will be in or near BC Children’s Hospital for up to six months, and her family will need help with travel expenses, meals, lost wages, and other incidental costs.
This is an overwhelming burden for her father, Toshi, her mother, Yuko and Aumie’s big sisters, Anjou and Hannah. Yuko’s family will arrive from Japan by December to assist, but the family is still in need of some help.
Yuko is staying with her daughter in Vancouver, leaving Toshi to operate Sushi Kotan on Alexander Street by himself.
A father himself, Shuswap Chefs owner Rob Sengotta has stepped up to the plate with what he and Blue Canoe owner Al Boucher do best – serving delicious food.
“I’ve got a little one myself,” says Sengotta, “and I can’t imagine how difficult this must be for Toshi and his family. He’s a good guy, he’s been very good to me, and that’s why I wanted to do something to alleviate the incredible financial stress a little bit.”
At 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 16, Sengotta will serve dinner, including a bottle of wine per couple, dessert from Blue Canoe and live music for $85.
Tickets can be purchased by calling Shuswap Chefs at 250-832-5019 or dropping into Culinary Inspirations.
“There are only 100 tickets for this event,” says Sengotta, “and given the community response already to helping the Sato family, this event will surely sell out. So get your tickets now!”
Organizers are also looking for items for the evening’s silent auction. Be sure to include any marketing brochures and relevant details about the donated item, so it can be included in the description for potential bidders.
Contact Roger at events@salmonarmdowntown.com or 250-804-9971 for more information or to contribute auction items. Those who wish to donate may do so at the online fundraising site YouCaring.com (“Help Aumie Fight Childhood Cancer.”). All funds raised will go directly to helping the family.