Despite freezing rain pelting Elks Lodge #552 of Sault Ste. Marie on the evening of Saturday, March 5, community members and local law enforcement officials saw to it that Sgt. Nate Kaczmarek’s Burger Bash was a success.
“We were non-stop busy from 2 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. with people lined up at the door and hanging out,” said Detective Phillip Donnay, who organized the fundraising event to help financially support co-worker and long-time friend Kaczmarek.
Donnay said the sergeant’s cancer battle will be won because “No one fights alone and we are going to beat this.”
Although Donnay has always had faith in the community, the 800 burgers served last weekend only confirmed that faith.
Donations included casino gaming packages, high-end tool kits, a 20-gage shotgun, cedar Adirondack chairs, blue line cornhole, a half processed pig, 25 lbs of beef, 10 lbs of beef sticks, 78 bag raffle prizes, 20 silent bid options and more.
“The Elks donated and let us use the hall,” said Donnay. “The cooks and bartenders were all supplied.
Some of Kaczmarek’s relatives even came up from down and out of state to be with him at the event.
“Nate was overwhelmed with the amount of support,” said Donnay. “He never expected that many people would show up.”
To which Det. Donnay thanked all those who donated and volunteered their time, reiterating, “Nate, you are well-respected and it shows what you mean to this community.”
