Help Dave Rebuild After Hurricane Helene

Edit: thank you SO much for your generous donations, everyone! The best way to help is to share this GoFundMe on your social media.

My name is Melissa Lussier and I live in Southern California. I’m originally from Buffalo, which is where I met my best friend Sara, Dave’s daughter.

As we know, Hurricane Helene and Milton’s devastation left many with incalculable damage. One of our dear friends who was impacted by this is Dave Ries, the dad of my best friend, Sara, and to me, a family member. My mom, Marcia Lussier, had the idea to create this gofundme to try to help.

Dave’s home in New Port Richey was entirely flooded by the storm surge, reaching heights of five feet. While we are incredibly grateful Dave is okay, as he heeded the warnings and evacuated to stay with family, most of his possessions have been completely destroyed including two vehicles, appliances, countertops, wood cabinets, jewelry, clothing, beds, couches, drywall, floors, and countless personal possessions.

Dave lost his beloved wife Joan just over a year ago, and also lost many items of sentimental value of Joan’s that cannot be replaced. Unfortunately flood insurance in his area is prohibitively expensive, so he will need to replace and rebuild everything.

While Dave currently resides in New Port Richey, he and his wife Joan built a family and business in Buffalo, NY. They owned and operated the cozy family Woodlawn Diner in Woodlawn, NY, where I personally worked as a server in the early mornings in my college years. Even when the diner was filling in with morning patrons, eggs sizzling on the griddle, Dave would always pause when the sun would rise and tell me to look out the window.

Dave is also a member of the Knights of Columbus and anyone who knows him knows what a big heart he has and how willing he is to help those in need. After I suddenly lost my dad, Dave and Joan came to help me with the estate sale. Dave had to be convinced for us to create this page because while he is someone always willing to help others, he unselfishly never asks for help.

We realize there are many in need at this time so we only ask that you contribute if you feel called to help out a man who has been a friend to the community for decades. Any amount at all would be most appreciated. All funds will go directly to Dave and will be used to buy materials for flooring, kitchen cabinets, kitchen countertops, drywall, paint, lumber, new vehicles, new furniture, new appliances, new clothing, etc.

We hope this can be our way of reminding Dave that whether near or far, we are watching that sunrise with him. Thank you so much