(ABC 6 News) — Celebrating ten years in business, Five West in Rochester is marking the milestone by giving back.
The restaurant is donating 10% of sales on Tuesday, September 16 to Cy’s Place, a nonprofit working to build temporary apartments for families with children receiving cancer treatment or organ transplants at Mayo Clinic.
Cy’s Place was born out of loss, inspired by the life of three-year-old Silas Erickson, who died after a cancer battle in 2007.
His family is turning their grief into hope, planning to expand their impact from a guest apartment in the basement of their Rochester home, to three duplexes on a nine-acre property off Ashland Dr NW.
The homes would give families a quiet space to rest, play and stay together—away from the demands of downtown and the clinic.
“When we were here, we stayed with family and it was such a blessing because they had children, small children,” said Randy Erickson, Silas’ dad and the founder and president of Cy’s Place. “They played with him and they just loved on him, and they loved on us and took good care of us, but so many people that come here don’t have family.”
The project’s biggest roadblock so far has been funding, with each duplex unit costing around $250,000 to build and furnish. Another $100,000 is needed for a playground and infrastructure.
Donations for the project have covered more than a quarter of their overall funding goal, and with Five West’s help, the nonprofit is hoping to move one step closer to helping families in need.
“When you have a sick child, you need family the most and it’s something where your family needs to be with you, so this is why Cy’s Place is really important,” said Amber Bacon, a server at Five West.
Bacon has her own experience with having a child at Mayo, and says most families aren’t as lucky to have local support. That’s why she suggested the fundraiser for Cy’s Place as part of Five West’s ten-year celebration.
Cy’s dad hopes this support will raise both funds and awareness as they get closer to building their new homes for families who need them most.
To donate to Cy’s Place, click here: Donations
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