When the tornado hit Joplin, Missouri in May, the 13-year-old niece of Ray's Chef Peter Birk was home alone, hiding in a closet when the roof was ripped off and the house collapsed around her. Her mom  (Birk's sister) was frantically trying to get home from a church event down the street. 

Fortunately, Birk's family is all safe but they've lost their home and now have to get down to the hard work of cleaning up and rebuilding.

"My sister and mother are doing fine," Birk said in a phone interview. "They have a roof over their head for as long as they need it."

Birk said he found out about the tornado an hour after it hit his hometown.

"My first thought was "OK, we've been through this before"," he said. "But then I turned on the news and learned about the severity of things. The first phone calls that went out were to see if everyone's OK."

Mike Chase, Chef of Tuxedos & Tennis Shoes is also from Joplin, Missouri and his family, too, has been devastated by the tornado.

Together, Chase and Birk are hosting a fundraiser tonight to raise funds for two organizations, as suggested by their families - The American Red Cross and Joplin Humane Society.

Since the tornado hit, Birk's niece, Ruth, has been volunteering with the Joplin Humane Society to help care for the hundreds of family pets that have been left homeless from this disaster. And The American Red Cross was the first on the scene when Birk's and Chase's families lost their homes.

"We'll be taking donations through Friday. So far we've raised a substantial amount already," Birk said, encouraging people to contact the American Red Cross directly if they wish to donate after Friday.

"The support from my adopted hometown has been overwhelming in a good way," Birk said.

The fundraiser will be an evening of Joplin-inspired food, wine, and beer on the deck of Ray's private banquet room. Birk's niece Ruth will be attending the event. The event will also include a raffle of great merchandise and gift certificates to local restaurants and stores.

"It's ironic to have a party to help people in need but if that's the way we can contribute, then we're going to have a great time for a good cause," said Birk.

Tickets for the event are $30.00 per person and all proceeds will be donated to the Joplin Humane Society and the American Red Cross. 
To purchase tickets, please call (206) 789-3770 ext. 3.

The Fundraiser will take place from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. at Ray's Boathouse located at 6049 Seaview Avenue NW.