Saxon Switzerland: Wave of support after severe storm damage

A wave of support has emerged for a Saxon Switzerland entrepreneur after a severe storm devastated her business. TV and event chef Verena Leister is appealing for donations to rebuild her snack bar and boat rental service, which suffered extensive damage.

The response has been overwhelming. Within just 24 hours, by Sunday morning, approximately 200,000 euros had been donated through around 6,000 individual contributions on the Gofundme platform. The snack bar, a popular resting spot for hikers at Amselsee, was hit by falling trees on Friday evening.

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What was built with passion over many years was destroyed in a few minutes.

"What was built with passion over many years was destroyed in a few minutes," reads the donation appeal. The storm left the lake almost entirely covered with logs, crushed the rental boats, and severely damaged the main building, likely requiring a complete demolition and rebuild.

Leister stated that the business cannot operate this season, yet costs continue to accrue. The appeal highlights the uncertainty surrounding the reconstruction process and the need for community support to overcome this challenge. "We know we cannot do this alone. That's why we are asking for your support from the bottom of our hearts."

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We know we cannot do this alone. That's why we are asking for your support from the bottom of our hearts.