Organizations rally around restaurant owner

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Gang Guo, owner of New Harvest in Beacon Falls, left, talks with former First Selectman Gerard Smith in October 2013 during the restaurant’s first night open for business. The community is organizing a fundraiser to benefit Guo, who was recently injured in a bicycle accident. –FILE PHOTO
Gang Guo, owner of New Harvest in Beacon Falls, left, talks with former First Selectman Gerard Smith in October 2013 during the restaurant’s first night open for business. The community is organizing a fundraiser to benefit Guo, who was recently injured in a bicycle accident. –FILE PHOTO

BEACON FALLS — Organizations in town are coming together to help a member of the community who has helped them.

The Rotary Club, Lions Club, Lioness Club and Beacon Hose Company No. 1 are hosting a ziti dinner Aug. 22 to benefit Gang Guo, chef and owner of New Harvest Restaurant, and his family.

Fire Chief James Trzaski said Guo was injured in a bicycle accident last month.

“He was getting up early because he was going to meet kids from United Day [School] for a show and tell. His vehicle didn’t work and he still wanted to fulfill his obligation,” Trzaski said

Trzaski said Guo decided to ride his bicycle from his home in Bethany in order to open the restaurant for the program.

What happened between Guo’s home and the restaurant isn’t clear.

Trzaski said he was found laying off the road on Blackberry Hill Road by two Beacon Hose members, who provided aid to Guo until an ambulance arrived to take him to the hospital. Guo’s injuries are quite severe, Trzaski said.

The ziti dinner runs from 4:30 until 8:30 p.m. at the firehouse, 35 North Main St. Tickets are $10 a person or $25 for a family of four. Tickets are on sale at the firehouse, Beacon Falls Pharmacy and New Harvest Restaurant.

Trzaski said the organizations in town have rallied to help “G”, as he calls Guo, because of how much he has done to help the organizations.

“Since G started his business he’s been involved in a lot of community activities. He helps out every organization with their fundraising efforts or anything they need,” Trzaski said.

Guo allows the Rotary Club and the Lions Club to hold their meetings at New Harvest and also lets the fire department host a Tip a Firefighter event at the restaurant.

“He’s been very, very generous to any organization that has come to him to help out doing a fundraiser. He’s never had a problem reaching into his pocket and his heart to support every organization I know of. He’s a wonderful person,” Lions Club President Bill Mis said.

Beacon Falls Rotary Club Treasurer Randi Bellemare echoed those sentiments.

“He (Guo) has done so much for Beacon Falls and the surrounding towns. Any time anybody needs something he has been there,” Bellemare said.

Bellemare said the organizations want to help Guo because the restaurant, which opened in 2013, is his family’s livelihood. According to Bellemare, Guo has the two children.

“He is part of the community. From day one he has made many, many friends here. You walk into the restaurant and he makes sure he comes up to greet you,” Bellemare said. “It’s going to be the community coming together to support one of their own.”

Those who wish to donate but are unable to attend the dinner can drop a check off at the firehouse, Trzaski said.

Tzraski said Guo epitomizes what it means to be part of a community.

“He’s the type of person who understands the importance of a community. It’s not just one organization or person, it takes entire community to make it what it is. He does everything he can to create harmony in the community,” Trzaski said.