Milwaukee Man Raises Over $30,000 For Local Restaurants

MILWAUKEE, WI — One Milwaukee man recently celebrated his 46th birthday in a big way — by raising more than $30,000 for restaurants that were closed by the new coronavirus. In a post to GoFundMe, C.J. Krawczyk said the goal of the fundraiser was to save or stabilize local businesses.

"In seriousness, Milwaukee has some irreplaceable culinary assets that simply can't be allowed to become casualties of this health emergency in which we currently find ourselves," Krawczyk wrote.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported Krawczysk and his wife, Julie, seeded the fundraiser with $4,600. Since then, it's earned a total of $30,170, surpassing its goal of $25,000.

On GoFundMe, Krawczysk wrote money raised by the campaign will be disbursed to local restaurants and cafes in need in increments of $500, $1,000 or $2,500 depending on need.

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported "The Kelly Clarkson Show" contacted the Krawczyks a few days after the campaign launched and asked them to submit a video about their efforts.

The couple submitted a 90-second video that will be included in the show Wednesday afternoon.

The Kelly Clarkson Show airs at 2 p.m. on WTMJ-TV in Milwaukee.