BUCKEYE LAKE, Ohio — The North/West Shore bar hop started out as an idea to bring the Buckeye Lake community together. Then, tragedy hit Indian Lake and the organizers decided to raise money for another lake community.
“They are a lake, they are a small town just like this. That could’ve been us and any one of us. Just to do the smallest thing for somebody is always nice,” said Ricki Suttle, manager of the Mill Dam Corner Grille.
Bars at Buckeye Lake bought beer from an Indian Lake brewery to sell and 100% of the proceeds go to those affected by the tornado. They also sold raffle tickets for a prize that has everything from gift cards to clothes.
“We had been in contact with the Indian Lake chambers. They said they have 13 families that they are funding, trying to help get on their feet so everything we do today will go to the chamber,” said Randy Torres, co-owner of The Boat Yard Tavern and Grille.
The two lake communities share a lot in common. So when tragedy hits one, the other steps up.
“Indian Lake is about the same size as Buckeye Lake. It’s kind of the same atmosphere, people,” said Torres.
“It’s a lake thing. It’s a lake community. The lakes come together. Hopefully if it happened here, they would do the same for us,” said Tracy Pack, bartender at The Barrell Bar.
The turnout on Saturday for the bar hop was strong. The bars are hoping the money they get can make a difference in someone’s life.
“Whatever we raise today we hope it eases their mind a little bit and gets them back on their feet,” said Torres.
One lake, helping another lake. In hopes of bringing normalcy back to a hurting community.
“It could be any one of us. We are all neighbors. We all want to make sure in the restaurant and bar business that we take care of each other. Anyway we can reach out and help, that’s the best thing for us to do,” said Suttle.