'Happy Hour with a Purpose' aims to raise money for Vietnamese village

Thursday, Madisonians can simultaneously enjoy happy hour and support an impoverished village in Vietnam, thanks to the efforts of two residents.

Julie Pfluger and her husband Ray Trent will be hosting a Habitat for Humanity fundraiser called  “Happy Hour with a Purpose” in hopes of raising $2,000 for Habitat for Humanity’s Blitz Build trip to the tea farming village Phu Tho. Phu Tho is in one of the provinces with the highest rate of poverty in Vietnam.

“This event is not for airfare or my hotel. We stay with the locals, and my husband and I pay for our airfares. We want to raise $2,000 to give to the community there so they can get water or get sewage, whatever they need,” Pfluger said.

The event will be held at VFW Post #1318. At the event, there will be an assortment of foods from local businesses such as Metcalfe’s Market and Good Food. A live band is scheduled to play, and local artists will be doing henna tattoos. They will also have over $4,000 in donated prizes from local and area businesses will also be a part of this event.

“We have gotten so much amazing community support. All I had to do was ask,” Pfluger said.

In September, the Pflugers and 300 other volunteers will head to Vietnam to collaboratively build homes with the Phu Tho villagers during one week. This project differs from other projects that simply give, as it creates deep bonds between the volunteers and the locals, according to Pfluger.

Pfluger also works with Habitat for Humanity in Dane County, the third most expensive county in Wisconsin. According to Pfluger, Habitat for Humanity finished its 242 house in Dane County.

“In order to afford a modest apartment, you have to make $18 a hour, and a lot of people don’t make that. That’s why Habitat is so important here in Dane County,” Pfluger said. 

Pfluger’s involvement with Habitat for Humanity stemmed from tragedy that struck in her own family. After  from the 2011 Joplin tornado, Pfluger’s aunt and her three daughters lost their home. Today they live in a new house that Habitat for Humanity built.

“Sometimes, people just want a break, and people deserve a break. You have to be willing to be work for a house. You have to prove that you have enough income to pay it back in 20 years. And that’s what my aunt did,” Pfluger said.

Trent, a veteran, is involved with Hammer with a Heart, a program that provides free major home repair for lower-income homeowners.