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Tag: Joseph Sevier

  • Community rallies to help local restaurant partner known for helping others

    Joseph Sevier, with family and son Milo, who was diagnosed with a cancerous tumor. // Image courtesy, Sevier family

    By Mike Hazlip—
    From the little league to the Police Department, Texas Roadhouse in Citrus Heights is known for helping the community. Now, the restaurant’s managing partner Joseph Ruben Sevier has found himself on the receiving end of the community’s generosity.

    Sevier and his wife Andrea recently announced through social media that their one-year-old son, Milo, was diagnosed with a cancerous tumor. Doctors identified Milo’s condition as a primitive neuroectodermal tumor that spread to his spine, according to Sevier.

    Treatments, including chemo therapy, will take place over the next 10-12 months with some treatments requiring a facility in San Francisco, the family says.

    Family friend Pauleen Borgesi-Campbel set up a GoFundMe page last week to support the Sevier family. The fund had raised more than $23,000 of its $100,000 goal as of press time Saturday, and Sevier confirmed the page’s validity in an email response to the Sentinel. The money will be used to help the family with travel and medical expenses.

    “First, our hearts are overwhelmed by all your love & support,” Sevier said in Friday’s announcement. “Thank you is not enough for how much y’all have given in prayer, love, resources, & emotion to stand with us. We truly love you.”

    A raffle is also being held at the restaurant to raise funds. Organizer Shaunna Stuart told The Sentinel she has been a loyal customer of Texas Roadhouse, and was moved to action when she heard about the Sevier’s situation.

    “When I heard about his baby I just knew I had to do something!,” Stuart said. “It is the right thing to do! Joseph is so loved by this community I have had so many guests share wonderful stories about how Joseph has helped their family.”

    Stuart said she has raised over $2,000 as of Saturday night in the first two days of the raffle, and she plans to continue selling tickets at Texas Roadhouse until May 30. Tickets are $10, and first prize includes a 65” flat screen TV.

    Sevier said he is grateful for the community’s support and the family is facing this challenge with faith.
    “Thank you for loving our Favored Warrior Milo,” he said. “Thank you for being family. Thank you for modeling what the hands & feet of Jesus look like here on earth. Thank you for believing with us.”

  • Over 2,000 diners show up to support fallen officer at Texas Roadhouse fundraiser

    Over 2,000 diners show up to support fallen officer at Texas Roadhouse fundraiser

    Messages in chalk could be seen outside the Citrus Heights Texas Roadhouse restaurant, as part of a two-day “Dine to Donate” fundraiser for fallen officer Tara O’Sullivan. // Thomas J. Sullivan

    By Thomas J. Sullivan–
    Customers waited patiently to be seated for an open table on Wednesday at the Texas Roadhouse restaurant in Citrus Heights, each wanting to participate in a two-day “Dine to Donate” event to honor and remember fallen Sacramento Police Officer Tara O’Sullivan, who was killed in the line of duty on June 19.

    What began as a planned one-day fundraiser, was extended to Thursday, June 27, by the restaurant’s managing partner, Joseph Sevier. He said extra serving and kitchen staff volunteered just to come in to help during the fundraiser.

    “The local response has been incredible to this tragedy,” Sevier told The Sentinel. “A one-day fundraiser just wasn’t enough.”

    Outside the restaurant, etched on concrete sidewalks on both sides of the front entrance, chalk messages reading “Blue Line Strong” and “Tara O’Sullivan – forever our hero” were written.

    A special booth was set up inside the restaurant decorated with blue and black ribbons and photos of Officer O’Sullivan, where restaurant guests could pause in her remembrance and leave a donation if they chose.

    In all, over 1,100 meals were served on Wednesday during the first day of the fundraiser, Sevier said. He estimated the same or more were served on Thursday.

    The total amount raised during the fund raiser for the Tara O’Sullivan Memorial Fund over the two-day period won’t be known until early next week.

    Thirty percent of the proceeds of each guest check at Texas Roadhouse in the two-day fundraiser will be given to support the Tara O’Sullivan Memorial Fund in honor of her public service to the greater Sacramento community.

    “I’m not sure yet what the total amount we expect to raise will be just yet,” Sevier said. “We know that the people of Citrus Heights and the surrounding area have been exceptionally generous.”

    Donations to the Tara O’Sullivan Memorial Fund, which was created by the California Association Highway Patrol Credit Union, can be sent online at cahpcu.org or through mail at the following address: Officer Tara O’Sullivan Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 276507, Sacramento, CA 95827.

    O’Sullivan, 26, who was killed in an “ambush” style attack, was the first Sacramento police officer killed in the line of duty since William Bean Jr. was killed in 1999.

    CAHP Credit Union’s president Brad Houle told the Sacramento Bee that the financial institution would waive all fees related to the account, and that the family could receive the money for immediate expenses. Houle said the online donation form will be available for as long as people continued to donate.

    A memorial service was held Thursday, June 27, in Roseville, as law enforcement from Citrus Heights and across the capital region escorted O’Sullivan’s casket to Elk Grove in a procession across Sacramento County.