Ron’s Mexican Cantina and Grill will continue to make a positive impact in the community under new ownership

Ron's Mexican Cantina at its new location.

By Elizabeth Richards

           

When Ron Eby of Windham Automotive built Ron’s Mexican Cantina and Grill for the first Summerfest celebration in Windham, he never imagined it would be a catalyst for raising nearly $700,000 dollars for Camp Sunshine. But in the years since he created the food cart, that’s exactly what has happened. And although the cart has now been sold, new owner Jose Chavez of A La Mexicana plans to continue the tradition of giving.

Eby said that when he built the Cantina his goal was to build something that would inspire others as they worked to get Summerfest started.  He then decided that the proceeds raised from the cart would go to support Camp Sunshine. Over the years, the Cantina became somewhat of an icon in the area. 

“It was a huge success,” Eby said. In recent years, however, it hadn’t seen much use. Eby came to a point when it was time to move forward and do something different, he said, so he decided to sell the Cantina.

When Chavez expressed interest, Eby said, “I told him I’d love to see it still used in some capacity to raise money for Camp Sunshine.”

Chavez said that continuing to support Camp Sunshine is in their plan, but they haven’t yet determined exactly how that will happen. He added that he wants to help the community, especially since they have helped him so much.  “I want to give back a little bit too,” he said.

As for Eby, he stated he will continue to raise money in other ways.  “It’s come time to move on and do something different,” he said. 

Eby has been honored for his efforts as a 6 Who Care recipient, and he was one of four finalists for the NASCAR Foundation’s Betty Jane France Humanitarian of the Year award in 2012. That honor came with a $25,000 donation to Camp Sunshine.

The move to A La Mexicana was a great one for the cantina, Eby said. “I probably couldn’t have asked for a better destination,” he said.  He believes the cantina will be beneficial to both the restaurant and the community and he hopes that it will evolve in a way that grows awareness of Camp Sunshine and the work that they do.

Eby said that he’s been able to make a greater impact than he ever imagined. The Cantina started a “ripple effect,” he said.  “That drop was started, and those ripples continue to this day. If it can continue with Jose, that would be special,” he said.

Eby called Camp Sunshine a “diamond in our own back yard.” People don’t realize the national and even international impact the camp has for families, he added.  Being able to make such an impact makes him step back and say “wow”, Eby said. “It started with a little idea, and a little dream.”

Cinco de Mayo Fundraiser Fiesta planned to help families impacted by fire by Elizabeth Richards

The community is pulling together to support families affected by the fire on April 19^th at A La Mexicana restaurant in Raymond with a Cinco de Mayo Fundraiser Fiesta.
 

The event is coming together very quickly with an outpouring of support from people throughout the local area, from Bridgton to Portland, said Laurie Mason. Mason and her husband Bob own the

building that A La Mexicana was housed in.

Mason said they plan to rebuild as soon as possible, but working with insurance is a long process. This fundraiser isn’t about the rebuilding the property, though. The money raised will go towards helping the families - owner Jose Chavez and his family, along with staff members and their families. “For us, it’s a building,” Mason said of the impact the fire had. “But for Jose and his family, it’s his life.”

“Jose and his family have been tenants for many years now. They are awesome tenants,” Mason said. “They are hard-working, family oriented, honest and produce a much-loved product for the community. Everybody around here loves them,” she said. An outpouring of well wishes and comments on the restaurant’s Facebook page shows just how popular the restaurant is in the

community.

An announcement for the event on the Maine Mayhem Women’s Football Facebook page read, “We never know how quickly our lives can be impacted by tragedy. It could happen to any of us . . .  in an instant. On Wednesday, April 19th the A La Mexicana Restaurant caught on fire. There were numerous families impacted by this tragic loss. When tragedy hits there is nothing more beautiful than an entire community rallying together to help bring a little peace to all the chaos.”

And rally they have. Adam Herald, pastor of the Refuge Church in Windham, said he knew Chavez’s sister-in-law, Jerica Parker, from building relationships in the community. “When I heard about the fire, I asked what we could do to help,” he said. “Any time there’s an obvious need in the community, I think the church needs to step up and say, ‘what can our role be and how can we get the community working together’?” In this case, in addition to helping get the word out for the event through Herald’s contacts, the Refuge Church secured the hall for a non-profit rate, and will be paying the cost of that rental.

While they were talking, Parker brought up the fact that Cinco de Mayo was a very lucrative day for the restaurant, Herald said. The idea to organize something around that day was born, almost without realizing how quickly it was approaching.

Mason said the fundraiser has certainly been on a fast track to organize. “We’re putting it together in a week. It’s not going to be perfect. But I keep telling everyone when you’re doing something with love, you can’t do it wrong.”

The outreach from the community has been phenomenal, Mason added.  Within hours of the fire, she said, she was receiving phone calls asking what people could do to help. She said that seeing this kind of response makes her feel good about the world again. “There’s a ray of sunshine, and hope, and an outpouring of love,” she said.

Along with Parker, Herald, Chavez and the Masons, some of those heavily involved in the quick organization of the event include Caitlin Faria, Mandy and Marty Greco, Alicia Paige, Anne and Dave Murch, Dave and Kathy Gerrish, Kathy and George Jillson, and Robin Brown. Point Sebago has donated a 5-night vacation as a door prize, and many other local vendors have stepped up to donate raffle and auction items. The Wrong Road band, who will perform at the event, also donated their time.

Click to Apply

Chavez will be providing the food for the event. He said the support they have received means a lot to him. “I never imagined it was going to be like this,” he said. “I want to say thank you so much for caring so much.”

The Fundraiser Fiesta will be held on Friday, May 5 from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the Windham Veterans Center, 35 Veterans Memorial Road, Windham. The event will include a buffet dinner, live music, raffles, an auction, and more. Tickets will be sold at the door, and are free for children 3 and under, $10 for children 4-12, $15 for adults and $40 for a family of four.  For more information, contact Laurie Mason at llbmason@att.net.