Sunrise Restaurant plans benefit for rural Washburn family
November 18, 2020
Missouri fire marshal investigator Grant Wheeler was on the scene early November 4 to determine the cause of an explosion and fire which destroyed the McDonald family’s home at 1600 Buzzard Roost, Washburn.
Photo courtesy of Annette Beard, of The Pea Ridge Times.
Photo courtesy of Annette Beard, of The Pea Ridge Times.
Sheila Harris
Tuesday, November 24, between the hours of 6 a.m. and 2 p.m., Sunrise Family Restaurant will host a benefit for the McDonald family, whose rural Washburn home was destroyed in an explosion which occurred shortly before 5:30 a.m., Wednesday, November 4. Between those hours, the proceeds from all sales will be donated to the victims of the explosion and ensuing fire.
“I understand the importance of family and community and my wife Zize and I want to do what we can to help,” owner John Balazoski said.
The McDonad home, located eight miles north of Pea Ridge, was a total loss.
Matthew and Talina McDonald and their three children - Kadense, Madison and Noah - were home at the time of the explosion. Kadense’s boyfriend, Gavin Blake, and Noah’s friend, Jayden Spillman, were also present.
All seven escaped from the fire, but not without serious injury. According to a November 11 Pea Ridge Times article, multiple ambulances were dispatched to White Oak Station in Pea Ridge, where the victims were driven after the explosion. From there, they were transferred to various healthcare facilities by land or air.
Talina McDonald was hospitalized in Springfield in ICU; her daughter, Madison, was flown to a burn unit in Texas; and Jayden Spilman was hospitalized in Springfield.
Sunrise Family Restaurant in Cassville joins others who have hosted, or plan to host, benefits for the victims of the fire, who lost everything but their lives and are facing major medical expenses.
The McDonalds’ oldest daughter, Kadense, is an employee of Pea Ridge Cafe, owned and managed by the Balazoski’s daughter and son-in-law. The Cafe donated all November 10 proceeds to the victims of the fire. Sunrise Restaurant, in Cassville, will follow suit on Tuesday, November 24.
“One hundred percent of all sales between 6 a.m. and 2 p.m. will be donated to the families,” John Balazoski said.
Several GoFundMe accounts have also been established for the family and the two young men.
For more information about how to help, please contact Sunrise Family Restaurant at (417) 847-0782.
Tuesday, November 24, between the hours of 6 a.m. and 2 p.m., Sunrise Family Restaurant will host a benefit for the McDonald family, whose rural Washburn home was destroyed in an explosion which occurred shortly before 5:30 a.m., Wednesday, November 4. Between those hours, the proceeds from all sales will be donated to the victims of the explosion and ensuing fire.
“I understand the importance of family and community and my wife Zize and I want to do what we can to help,” owner John Balazoski said.
The McDonad home, located eight miles north of Pea Ridge, was a total loss.
Matthew and Talina McDonald and their three children - Kadense, Madison and Noah - were home at the time of the explosion. Kadense’s boyfriend, Gavin Blake, and Noah’s friend, Jayden Spillman, were also present.
All seven escaped from the fire, but not without serious injury. According to a November 11 Pea Ridge Times article, multiple ambulances were dispatched to White Oak Station in Pea Ridge, where the victims were driven after the explosion. From there, they were transferred to various healthcare facilities by land or air.
Talina McDonald was hospitalized in Springfield in ICU; her daughter, Madison, was flown to a burn unit in Texas; and Jayden Spilman was hospitalized in Springfield.
Sunrise Family Restaurant in Cassville joins others who have hosted, or plan to host, benefits for the victims of the fire, who lost everything but their lives and are facing major medical expenses.
The McDonalds’ oldest daughter, Kadense, is an employee of Pea Ridge Cafe, owned and managed by the Balazoski’s daughter and son-in-law. The Cafe donated all November 10 proceeds to the victims of the fire. Sunrise Restaurant, in Cassville, will follow suit on Tuesday, November 24.
“One hundred percent of all sales between 6 a.m. and 2 p.m. will be donated to the families,” John Balazoski said.
Several GoFundMe accounts have also been established for the family and the two young men.
For more information about how to help, please contact Sunrise Family Restaurant at (417) 847-0782.