Communities Helping Didion Victims Through Fundraisers

6/6/17 – More fundraisers have been announced by village of Cambria to assist the victims of last Wednesday’s deadly explosion at Didion Milling, and more and more surrounding communities are showing their support. Hurts Donut in Middleton is creating a special pastry in honor of Didion families and all proceeds from the sale of the donut tomorrow will be donated to the Didion benefit fund established by the village. Culvers in DeForest will donate a proceed of their sales between 4:30pm and 7pm today to the fund. The Pardeeville Fire Department is hosting a brat fry and ice cream sale in partnership with Carol’s Cones on North Main Street in Pardeeville this Saturday from 10am until 7pm. Also on Saturday, the Cambria Parks Committee is holding a silent auction during their June Tournament. Silent auction items are being accepted at the village offices on West Edgewater Street. The American Red Cross also announced several blood drives in the area in coming weeks including one at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Beaver Dam this afternoon from noon until 5pm.

 

David Scrima of T Shirt International was contacted by Cheryl Jarvis of Waukesha and he  has very generously donated 500 t-shirts.  They are still finalizing the design but the design will include the slogan Cambria has Heart.  When available we will be selling these shirts for $20.00 a piece, therefore if all are sold we will make $10,000.00 for the Benefit Fund.  An announcement will be made when the t-shirts are available.

 

Rhonda Perry of West Bend is having a Kringle Sale for two weeks and will donate all proceeds to the Benefit Fund.

 

The First Presbyterian Church Food Pantry is collecting items for the families of Didion Milling. Items most needed are: diapers, soap, shampoo, deodorant, toiletries, feminine hygiene products, toothbrushes, paper towels, detergent, and gas cards. Small and medium sized boxes for packing food and goods in are also needed.  The collection site has been changed to the Cambria-Friesland School at 410 East Edgewater Street.

 

Don Klug of the Columbus Pick N Save has very generously volunteered to cater a benefit meal on Saturday, July 15th from 4:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. at the Cambria-Friesland School at 410 East Edgewater Street, Cambria.  The Cambria Kiwanis Club and C-F school district will assist with set up, serving, and clean up.  This will be a 2 pc. Chicken dinner, coleslaw, potato wedges, potato salad, beverage, and cookie for a minimum $5.00 donation.  All proceeds will go the Benefit Fund.

 

The Red Cross has a series of blood drives scheduled throughout the area. The First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Beaver Dam is holding drive from 11:30am until 5:30pm Monday and from noon to 5pm on Tuesday, June 6. The Landmark at Charleston House in Beaver Dam will host a blood drive on June 19. Three blood drives are planned in Columbus at the Zion Lutheran Church on June 13, Columbus Health and Rehab on June 21 and Columbus Community Hospital on June 29. On June 29, there will also be a blood drive at Edgewood Church in Waupun.

 

A fund has been set up at the National Exchange Bank in Cambria to donate to the families.  Funds can be mailed or dropped off at:

 

Old Mill Foundation Didion Benefit Fund.

%National Exchange Bank

118 West Edgewater Street

P.O. Box 338

Cambria, WI  53923

 

Meanwhile, Didion officials say the company needs to rebuild. Didion Safety Officer Kurt Baird spoke to residents and elected officials last night at the villages regular monthly board meeting. The company is asking the village to lower the 45-mile-per-hour speed limit on Highway 146 near the plant and add more parking near the site of the explosion. Village officials say they will work with Didion to meet their needs. Company President Riley Didion was also in attendance last night. He was not able to provide an update on the conditions of the eleven workers who were injured but he did say that he expects all remaining workers to from the Cambria site to be back working by the end of the week.