DUPONT — Pittston Township residents met unexpected adversity when a tornado touched down near Suscon Road Feb. 25. Now, an unexpected source is poised to provide them with relief.
Two years ago, 50-year-old Robert Henn became a Northeastern Pennsylvania resident when he moved from New Jersey to Hughestown to open Brickhouse Tavern in Dupont. He said he felt welcome in the area since day one and sees the regular customers at his bar as adopted family, since he sees his own family sparingly since moving alone to start his business.
Henn will host a benefit for his adopted family on March 18 at Brickhouse Tavern.
“The people up here support my business with their patronage all year long and that’s my livelihood; here is a disaster that has affected their livelihood,” Henn said. “I feel it’s time to give back and help them.”
The benefit starts at noon and lasts until 2 a.m., with a portion of all sales going to local residents affected by the tornado. Brickhouse Tavern will run a limited menu that day (wings, fried items and pizza) and the smoking bar will go smoke-free to accommodate families.
Henn plans to set up a food tent in the parking lot, weather permitting, and Duryea American Legion has offered to bring two Disney characters to entertain younger patrons. Henn also has over 30 baskets promised to him for raffles that day.
The money raised will help residents like Maureen Hunter, her husband and her three children. The roof on Hunter’s home of 12 years sustained damage during the Feb. 25 tornado, causing water damage and ceiling collapses within the structure. Hunter said any money received from the benefit will help the family handle costs that insurance won’t cover, like deductibles and costs related to clean up.
“A lot of the insurance doesn’t cover too much of the outdoor tree removal,” Hunter said. “We’ve had quite a few trees come into our yard. The money will be used to clean up debris, things like that. Things insurance wouldn’t cover.”
The Hunters are part of Henn’s adoptive family; they visit the bar for its live music. A former Boy Scout and volunteer fire fighter, Henn said family is extended in times of need.
“I’ve always given back to the community and I feel that during a time of disaster we’re all brothers and sisters and we need to help each other,” he said.
