Eli Kulp Update: Amtrak Discontinues Medical Aid, But Here’s What You Can Do To Help
Photo by Jim Graham
As we all know, chef Eli Kulp of Fork, High Street on Market and the High Street Hospitality Group sustained serious injuries during the Amtrak derailment in May. After being rushed to surgery, it was announced that he’d suffered a spinal injury and that it would be a long road to recovery. Recent updates on the fundraising campaign page for Kulp reinforce this, explaining that the chef will remain in spinal rehab until the end of August, and enumerating the current out-of-pocket expenses his family is facing.
The costs so far include: home modifications and home health aides, an adjustable bed and an air mattress to reduce the risk of pressure sores, van/transportation to and from outpatient therapy, adaptive technology, and medical copays and deductibles. While the details of Kulp’s current state of health are not made explicit, this list alone underscores the serious nature of his injuries. What’s more, Amtrak has discontinued payment for any medical coverage for Eli.
But there’s some good news, too. The GoFundMe page is still open (they’ve raised over 20% of the goal donations thus far, but could really use some help getting that number up), and tickets for the fundraiser event at Fork on July 16th (named Eli Kulp Day) are now officially on sale.
The event will have live music and a silent auction, alongside food and drink from participating restaurants being served reception-style (meaning booths and tastings, kinda like Philly Cooks). The roster so far boasts A.Kitchen + Bar, American Sardine Bar, Amis, Blackfish, Brulee Catering, Cuba Libre, Eclat Chocolate, Fork, Franklin Fountain, High Street on Market, Kanella, Lacroix, Laurel, Le Cheri, Madame Fromage, Pub + Kitchen, Rival Brothers, Sbraga, Serpico, Vernick Food & Drink, Volver, Will BYOB, Zahav, Zeppoli. Tickets are $200 for general admission, and $350 for VIP access to the pre-event reception with drinks and hors d’oeuvres–which seems pricey, sure, but the lineup for the night’s event is amazing (because Philly chefs know how to take care of their own) and your money couldn’t be going to a better cause.
So if you’ve got some big bucks in your pocket and want one helluva dinner, now you know where to go. If the dinner is a bit out of your range but you still want to help, check out the Kulp Family GoFundMe page and do what you can.
Our best wishes continue to go out to Eli and his family.
The Kulp Family Medical Fund [GoFundMe]
Eli Kulp Day Fundaraising Dinner [Get tickets here]
