People donating hundreds at Carriage fundraiser across from Nippon spill

Fei's Carriage Restaurant and Lounge is hosting a hot dog stand and car wash to raise funds for families affected by the deadly chemical spill at a Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. pulp and paper mill.

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Midway through the first day of the fundraiser and three days after the tank rupture, owner Fei Chen said the event had already received an outpouring of support. The car wash saw a steady stream of customers, and visitors were offering large donations with their purchases.

"People are giving $50, $100," Chen said.

Fei Chen

Fei Chen, owner of Fei's Carriage Restaurant and Lounge, washes a car during a fundraiser Friday, May 29. The restaurant is selling hot dogs and washing cars to raise funds for victims of a May 26 chemical spill at a Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. plant in Longview.

Hot dogs cost $2 each and car washes cost $10. The fundraiser ran 12-5 p.m. Friday and will continue during the same times through Sunday at the restaurant at 3353 Washington Way.

Chen said the hot dogs were donated by Harbor Freight. She purchased the supplies for the car wash herself.

She said she was surprised to see so many people early on a Friday afternoon, and expected an even larger turnout throughout the weekend.

Spraying a car

An employee washes a car at Fei's Carriage Restaurant and Lounge Friday, May 29. Owner Fei Chen said she was surprised by how many people visited the fundraiser on its first day.

The restaurant is located almost directly across the street from the Nippon mill off Industrial Way, and Chen said workers would often come in on their lunch breaks or to have a drink after work. While she didn't know them personally, she recognized many of their faces.

She said she believed some of the victims of the accident had visited the restaurant before.

The chemical tank rupture killed 11 people and injured eight more.

Scott Tift, president of the Association of Western Pulp and Paper Workers, thanked the public on Saturday for its support of the workers. He asked that donations for affected families be sent to www.cwclc.org.

Editor's note: This story has been updated with the latest information.

Scrubbing

Employees clean a truck at Fei's Carriage Restaurant and Lounge Friday, May 29. Proceeds from the car wash will support families affected by a chemical spill at a Nippon plant in Longview.

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