Eatery hosts fundraiser for starved children

A group of twenty- and thirty-somethings will be slinging beer to raise money for two children who had been allegedly starved and locked in a bathroom for years.

Members of the Carson City chapter of the 20/30 Club will mix and serve drinks as part of a "Guest Bartender Night" at Stew's Sportatorium from 5-11 p.m. Wednesday.

The guest bartenders and servers will donate 100 percent of their tips to the Second Chance Fund, set up for the severely underweight brother and sister, now recovering in Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center.

Diane Forsythe, bar manager for Stew's, said that in addition to the guest bartenders' tips, all employees will donate their tips for that evening.

Stew's, owned by Bob Stewart and sons James and Michael, will donate 10 percent of the night's sales.

Eric Abowd, a financial planner for Abowd & Rose Financial Group and a member of the 20/30 Club, called the event an opportunity for those who have had doors opened to them to assist two people who didn't.

"A lot of us has been given a lot of opportunities in our lives," Abowd said. "We've had doors open for us, and they literally have had the misfortune of being born to a family that took advantage of two kids."

Though he said he never tended bar before, Abowd admits to some experience.

"I worked in a bar in college, but I never bartended," he said. "It'll be a little difficult, but I've had a few drinks in my day so I'll be able to figure it out."

Abowd said there will also be a silent auction featuring items donated by local business, including dinners at Adele's.

Abowd said the 20/30 Club is a national organization made up of people in their 20s and 30s who are looking to make a difference in their communities.

"We thought these kids could use some charity," he said. "Also, it was a chance to gain some momentum for the group. We just started the club in Carson not too long ago. We want to get more people involved and start doing bigger things to make a difference."

Other club members participating will be Jason Woodbury, an attorney for the law firm of Crowell and Susich; Rob McFadden, a mortgage specialist at Countrywide Homes; and Steve Rose, a financial planner at Abowd and Rose Financial Group.

The children, a 16-year-old girl and her 11-year-old brother, were found Jan. 19, weighing 41 pounds and 31 pounds, respectively.

The children's mother, grandmother and stepfather are scheduled to appear in court Friday on charges of child abuse, child neglect and false imprisonment.

The family members are being held in Carson City Jail on $100,000 bail each.

-- Contact reporter Karen Woodmansee at kwoodmansee@nevadaappeal.com or 882-2111, ext. 351.

If you go

WHAT: "Guest Bartender Night" with silent auction at Stew's Sportatorium, fundraiser for the Second Chance Fund.

WHEN: 511 p.m. Wednesday.

WHERE: 302 North Carson St.

CALL: (775) 882-7787.