Community members in Union County and beyond have stepped up since the February fire at the Delek refinery to assist the six injured workers and their families.
At a press conference in early March held by Karl Malone and Jeff Teague, the two donated $20,000 each to providing the starting funds for the “El Dorado Explosion Victims Fund.”
The Karl Malone Auto Group recently began managing the Teague Toyota-Chevrolet and Ford-Lincoln dealerships in El Dorado, a fact Teague addressed during the press conference.
“I think it’s very fitting that, as we’re parting, selling out and handing the baton over, this is something we can do to help those people who need help right now,” Teague said.
During that same conference, Malone also announced that the dealership would host a jambalaya plate benefit to help bolster the fund even further.
That benefit now has a date and time - April 8 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 1814 West Hillsboro Street.
Sponsors of the benefit include Origin Bank and Teague Toyota along with Karl Malone Toyota. Farmerville-based Rhett’s Tails and Shells will provide the jambalaya plates.
Plates will be available at a price of $10 each and can be pre-ordered by calling or texting 318-243-9050.
Any checks should be made out to the name of the fund, according to organizers.
Origin Bank’s Quentin Durr, who is helping to organize the benefit, said payment can be made in cash or check. Pre-orders are preferred, Durr added, but “we will have some available for walk-up.”
The “El Dorado Explosion Victims Fund” is held at Simmons Bank in El Dorado.