Document text
Jacksonville students to host fundraiser for Las Palmas By Kevin Opsahl Updated: Oct 13, 2022 03:38 PM A A Jacksonville Elementary will hold a fundraising barbecue Saturday, Oct. 15, for Las Palmas Mexican Cuisine, which had a fire this fall. [Jamie Lusch / Mail Tribune] Students at Jacksonville Elementary School will put on a Saturday barbecue to raise money for Las Palmas Mexican Cuisine, which was forced to close several weeks ago after it caught fire. The event is scheduled for noon to 2 p.m. Oct. 15 at the elementary school’s field, 655 Hueners Lane. “Our sixth-grade students wanted to organize a benefit to help this family who has done so much for not only our school, but for the community and the town of Jacksonville,” Jacksonville Elementary School wrote in a Facebook post. “We will be selling hot dogs and T-shirts with all proceeds going to the Rodriguez Family.” Organizers will accept only cash at the event, according to the Facebook post. The students will be in matching T-shirts in support of the restaurant. Luis Rodriguez, manager of Las Palmas, who has two children who attend Jacksonville Elementary, said he was delighted when Principal Shelly Inman gave him a call asking whether the school could put on a barbecue. “It means the world to me,” Rodriguez said. “It was great to know the kids wanted to help out.” He went on to say the fundraiser’s proceeds will “give continuity” to his employees, currently out of work. “We’re just trying keep them whole throughout this time, so they’re ready to go when we open back up,” Rodriguez said. Las Palmas, 210 E. California St., caught fire the morning of Sept. 27. Rodriguez said he does not have a cost estimate on the extent of the damage and is not sure when the restaurant will open again, though he predicts sometime in 2023. Reach reporter Kevin Opsahl at 541-776-4476 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @KevJourno.