Paul Scott Comment: It's time to help the owners of Cho Sun

I have always had the greatest respect for the owners of the Cho Sun Restaurant.  Nika Lee and her family started their business in the basement of the Armory building.  They worked hard and eventually made enough money to open a new building on Commerce Drive.  Then they continued to work hard and spent additional money to open a second restaurant, Koreana, in downtown Decorah.
 
But there has always been one other characteristic they have exhibited, beyond the ability to work very, very hard to be successful—they have always freely given back money to the community.  I can't count the number of times I've been at an event where Cho Sun has contributed money.  The Decorah Community School District Foundation scholarship program?  Check.  The Trails From Freeport?  Check.  Nika Lee and her family have always stepped up when asked to do something to help the community.

Now a fire has seriously damaged Cho Sun.  Sure, we can hope that insurance will pay for most of the costs of rebuilding from the fire.  But here's what I think: what is really needed now is a show of support from the community, to show our appreciation for all this family has done for us in past years.
 
I would welcome your e-mails with suggestions at news@decorahnews.com.  I would also welcome your comments on the following idea:
 
It would only be appropriate to support the Cho Sun owners by holding an event involving food.  Maybe many of our other great local restaurants (or other home cooking experts) would like to contribute a dish or two of their food or pizzas or burgers or whatever.  If we found a big space like a church basement, we could have a buffet line where we charged people so much per pound of food—with all the proceeds given to Nika Lee and family.
 
Sure, Cho Sun is a private business, so you'd be justified in asking "Why should we do this?" Here's my answer: "They've helped us.  Now it's our turn to help them."