Kheri Bilal, a bartender at The Raven in Woods Bay and Whistling Andy Distillery in Bigfork, has been described as the embodiment of fun and good times.
But last weekend, Bilal and his wife, Valentina, were celebrating their one-year wedding anniversary in Cabo San Lucas when Bilal slipped and fell from a balcony. He incurred severe brain damage and several broken bones. He was airlifted to a trauma center in Phoenix on Saturday and went through multiple surgeries.
A benefit for Bilal is being held at 6 p.m., Wednesday, June 6 at The Raven. A $20 Jamaican jerk chicken dinner will be on special with 100 percent of the proceeds going to Bilal. The Raven staff will donate all of their tips to Bilal, and $1 of every pint of beer sold, and $1 of every glass of wine sold, will be donated to him as well. There will a silent auction to help raise money.
The reggae band Rising Lion will provide musical entertainment for the evening.
“His personality and happiness has brought a smile to the face of everyone who has walked through the door at The Raven or Whistling Andy,” said Lisa Cloutier, owner of The Raven. “He has worked very hard and is an important part of our staff.”