On 23rd Street Sunday, Richmond did what Richmond often does in its hardest moments: It showed up.
Hundreds of community members gathered at Tacos El Rulas on Aug. 22 in Richmond for a kermés fundraiser benefiting the Rivera family, who lost four family members in a house fire last week that authorities have described as suspicious.
The family-owned restaurant on 23rd Street turned a Sunday afternoon into a neighborhood act of care. A flyer for the event declared “Richmond Comes Together for the Rivera Family,” and the scene outside the restaurant made good on that promise: Families, neighbors, Richmond police officers and firefighters came by to support the cause. Proceeds from the day are intended to help the family with funeral expenses and more.
“We’re just here as public service to try to support the family and the community,” said Richmond Police Department Crime Prevention Manager Michelle Milam, who was among the public safety representatives at the event. “We think that this is a way that the community is trying to come together around pain and tragedy.”
Milam said police and firefighters wanted to offer “our support and our care and our concern in the midst of the tragedy.”
The fundraiser was organized by the Ramirez family, owners of Tacos El Rulas. Angel Ramirez said the event was created specifically for the Rivera family and that “100%” of proceeds from food and drink sales would go to help them.
Customers purchased $2 tickets each, Angel said, then used them for tacos, water, drinks and other offerings at various stands in the spacious area in front of the restaurant, allowing organizers to keep count of the proceeds. “We’re just here to support them,” he said.
For Angel, the loss has affected the whole community. “It is hard,” he said, uttering, “heartbroken.”
The deaths resulting from the Aug. 18 fire included a 33-year-old woman, her 47-year-old father, her 5-year-old son, and her 2-year-old daughter. Authorities arrested 32-year-old Sergio Rivera Vega, a relative of the victims who lived at the residence, near the scene in connection with the suspicious fire.
Sunday’s fundraiser did not erase the enormity of the loss. It did something distinctly Richmond: It made sure the family did not have to stand alone in it.
Those unable to attend Sunday’s event, but who wish to support the Rivera family, can donate through the GoFundMe campaign established to help cover funeral and burial expenses.
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