Panda Garden owner and operator Joyce Cheng took extra strides in her efforts to help miners affected by the Blackjewel bankruptcy. Cheng announced Tuesday night on Facebook that all proceeds from the restaurant on Wednesday would be used to support the miners.

As of Friday, coal miners previously affiliated with Blackjewel have missed two pay periods. The miners continue to wait for paychecks that may never come, but that hasn’t stopped community members like Cheng from supporting them.

“What are you afraid of? All you have to do is try, then try, then try again,” Cheng said in a Facebook post. “Don’t give up hope on our hometown, be proud to call Harlan County your home when someone asks you where you’re from.”

A mini buffet tray, along with the regular buffet, were the only items available to order on Wednesday in hopes of selling as many as possible. Originally $13, trays were sold for $10, and Cheng set up a drive-thru outside her restaurant for people to drive by and pick them up. The trays included lo mein noodles with broccoli, fried rice, a sweet roll, garden chicken, crab rangoons and a drink.

By the end of the day, Cheng managed to sell 520 mini buffet trays, totaling $5,200, plus an additional $300 from dollar donations, bringing the total to $5,500. Cheng’s goal was to meet $5,000 by the end of Wednesday after a 12-hour shift.

All proceeds were donated to the Coal Miners Relief Fund set up by With Love from Harlan, a non-profit organization.

“Don’t ask what the community offers you; ask yourself what can you do for your community,” Cheng said. “One day when you become successful, only your hometown people know where you come from and are proud of you. Protect your hometown, take care of your hometown. No matter how much you hate Harlan County, you will still miss your hometown one day.”

The staff at the Cloverfork Clinic in Harlan and Evarts are also lending a helping hand, making sure patients are treated for both their dental and medical needs.

Other efforts to help miners and their families include:

• Flip Zone Gymnastics will be giving out 10 free spots for a year to anyone affected by the bankruptcy filing. For more information, contact Tierra Sundy on Facebook;

• Sittin’ Pretty Grooming will be taking dog/cat food donations to help with any family in need. The food can be dropped off at the business’ location in Evarts. For more information, call 606-837-9475;

• Jordan Smith, Harlan native and “The Voice” season nine winner, has created a GoFundMe account to help with families involved in the Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing. For more information, visit www.gofundme.com/blackjewel-bankruptcy-victims;

• The Harlan County Probation and Parole office will be accepting donations of toiletry items to provide to miners affected by the recent events involving Blackjewel. Such items include, but are not limited to, soap/shampoo/shaving cream, toothpaste/toothbrush/floss, dish washing liquid, laundry detergent, toilet paper/paper towels, feminine hygiene products, deodorant, hair care products and baby wipes/diapers. Any items being donated can be dropped off at the office on Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The office is located at 227 Industrial Park Road, Suite 105, Harlan (next to Southern Wholesale). This is drop-off only;

• With Love from Harlan is accepting any and all donations. Check and cash donations can be dropped off at Harlan CAA, located at 319 Camden Street, Harlan, or mailed to With Love from Harlan at P.O. Box 1621, Harlan, KY 40831. Donations can also be dropped off at Home Federal Bank, under With Love from Harlan Coal Miners Relief Fund;

• Harlan CAA is collecting donations for the miners and their families as well. You can drop off check or cash donations to April Vargas Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.;

• Calvary Baptist Church in Loyall will continue to collect food donations to stock their food pantry for anyone in need;

• Phil’s Barbershop is offering free hair cuts for children gearing up to go back to school. Phil’s Barbershop is located at 114 N First Street in Harlan. For more information, call 606-573-5001;

• Tim’s Barbershop is offering free hair cuts to children before school starts.