Backstreet Bistro Raising Funds For Hurt Employee

Anthony Guillermo may have lost his foot and part of his leg in a motorcycle crash in Palm Desert last month, but the local community has rallied to support him.

More than 100 people are expected to attend a wine dinner and silent auction at the Backstreet Bistro in Palm Desert tonight to help raise funds for a prosthetic leg for Guillermo, who is a server at the restaurant.

"He’s a great guy. He’s the go-to guy. I don’t think I asked anything of him," said Lavane Hause, the owner of Backstreet Bistro.

Hause added that Guillermo and his wife, who will both attend the fundraiser, are expecting a child soon.

"I want to help them along the way as much as I can," Hause said, adding that the wine dinner is already filled up.

The Backstreet Bistro is not the only business that has gotten behind Guillermo thanks to the efforts of Lonna Gawryleski of Palm Desert.

"He’s got the biggest heart. He’s such a very nice gentlemen. It’s nice to see the number of people donating who don’t even know him," said Gawryleski, who frequents Backstreet Bistro up to four times a week with her husband Gene.

She went to Palm Desert businesses over the past few weeks and asked them to donate items for the silent auction.

Businesses that donated included Kalura Trattoria, Sunshine Cafe, JC's Patio Cafe, Cuistot, Il Sogno and Resturante Guillermo's, Gawryleski said. 

Hause also thanked the customers who have reached out to help Guillermo.

"It makes you have hope in humanity again," Hause said.