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Funds flow in to help restaurateurs

$10,000 raised in 6 days for Hana Foods owners burned in kitchen accident

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Phillip Park (center), co-owner of Hana Foods, a Korean restaurant in the heart of downtown Camas, and his mother, Agnes (left), were burned in a May 4 kitchen accident. The Camas community has responded by donating more than $10,000 to the family for medical and business expenses. (Post-Record file photo)

An online fundraiser to help the owners of a downtown Camas restaurant, who were badly burned in a kitchen accident earlier this month, has surpassed its 50 percent mark after just six days.

Carrie Schulstad, executive director of the Downtown Camas Association, started the GoFundMe campaign last week to help Agnes and Phillip Park, owners of Hana Foods, a Korean restaurant in the heart of downtown Camas, who were burned after scalding teriyaki sauce boiled over on May 4, injuring Phillip’s hand and foot and badly burning his mother, Agnes, the restaurant’s main cook.

In six days, 157 people have contributed more than $10,000 toward the initial $20,000 goal.

“We’ve started a GoFundMe campaign to help the family with medical expenses and having to have the restaurant closed,” Schulstad stated in a notice posted on the front door of the business, located at 412 N.E. Fourth Ave. “We’re hoping they will be able to reopen soon, but it may be a few weeks. That could be devastating to a small business! They are the most kind, wonderful people and always generous to everyone.”

On Monday, Schulstad said people have shown up for the Park family, contributing on the GoFundMe site and offering assistance in other ways. Staff from Feast 316, a restaurant located less than two blocks from Hana Foods, donated their tips from a busy Mother’s Day brunch on Sunday, and several downtown Camas restaurant owners, including those from Feast 316, Natalia’s Cafe and Nuestra Mesa, have offered to help the Park family get Hana Foods up and running during Agnes’ recovery period.

Schulstad said Agnes is at home, healing from burns to her legs and feet, and Phillip hopes to reopen the restaurant as soon as possible.

“The community has been wonderful,” Schulstad said. “We can all give a little to help someone going through a hard time.”

To donate to the GoFundMe, visit www.gofundme.com/help-hana-in-downtown-camas.