Several businesses team up to support Hernandez family

Several local businesses have been teaming up for a fundraising effort to support the Hernandez family of Eagle River, as husband and father Keith Hernandez battles an aggressive form of blood cancer.

One of these efforts can be found at The Timbers Bar and Grill in St. Germain and Slo’s Pub in Arbor Vitae, where they are hosting a “Guess When the Snowmobile Falls” contest. For $20, people can guess a time and date that the snowmobiles will fall through the ice on West Bay and Gravelly Bay, respectively. The winning guess gets $500, while all proceeds will go toward the Hernandez family.

The fundraiser was organized by “The Update,” a joint Facebook show effort between Rocks Rent-All and A+ Driveway and Land Clearing.

“I’ve talked to (the family) and they’ve said they’re struggling to make ends meet,” said Jeff Katzer, Rocks-Rent-All and “The Update” co-host. “We, like many other people in the area, are trying to help them out.”

The hosts of the show stated that they have worked with the DNR to ensure that the snowmobiles are environmentally safe to have in the water when they fall through the ice, including flushing out all oil and gas from the engines, as well as having them tethered to cables ready to haul them out of the water.

The show, “The Update,” has already facilitated over $15,000 in contributions to give back to the community, with their focus being on supporting local events and community members.

Other efforts

Along with the snowmobile contest, Parsons of Eagle River is offering to donate $1 from every oil change done in the month of March.

The dealership had previously donated these oil change funds —$136 from 136 oil changes— to the Eagle River Recreation Association (ERRA) fundraiser to build a girls hockey locker room.

Several Eagle River businesses are also taking part in helping through the “Bucket Brigade,” organized by Ginny Evans of Eagle River.

Her efforts took flight Feb. 18, and by Feb. 27 there were more than 30 restaurants, shops and businesses in the Eagle River area that were collecting donations through the Bucket Brigade.

Anyone who would like to donate to the Hernandez family can do so by dropping money, grocery or gas gift cards in any of the numerous Bucket Brigade collection bins at many local businesses. There also is an account set up for the family at Nicolet Bank in Eagle River.

Businesses currently involved with the Bucket Brigade include KaigStand, Roots, Bucktail, Eagle Sports, ER Pet Company, Daily Grind, Splash Soap Co., Country Store, Nutty Squirrel, Eagle Waters, Lucy’s Lunchbox, Northwoods Child Development Center, Zen Boutique, JJ’s House of Dogs, Shepherd’s Wool, Botox Beauty Spa, Wall Street Pharmacy, Friendship House, Shotskis, Eagle Baking Company, Erin’s Pub & Grub, Eagle River Roasters, Riverstone Brewing Company, Sweetwater, Tribute Brewing Company, Bortolotti’s Cin Cin (after May 6th), Energy Mart, Burnt Bridge Tavern, Toad in the Hole, The Heid Out, Kickback Grill, Last Cast Bar & Grill, The Timbers Bar & Grill, Buckhots, and Legacy Floors.

Those looking to donate to the Hernandez family can also do so via their GoFundMe at https://gofund.me/d66ee342.