Justin Ames Benefit: Friends and Family Show Support for Local Chef’s Family, Raise $14,000 for Daughters

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Dozens of friends and family members of Justin Ames were at McFiler’s Chehalis Theater Saturday night for a dinner, auction and concert for the benefit of Ames’ two daughters, Emilia and Avrey. 

The 38-year-old died last month due to undisclosed health issues. 

Tim Filer — McFiler’s owner, childhood friend of Ames and godfather to his daughters — organized the benefit to create a savings fund for the daughters to use once they’re older. 

The benefit featured dinner, raffles, silent and live auctions and musical performances by some of Ames’ favorite local bands and musicians. 

Aside from working as a chef, Filer said Ames helped local venues organize concerts, which is how he came to know many of the performers Saturday night, and even played in a band called Earthslave with Filer.



Along with Earthslave, James Hunnicutt, Tyler Ritter, Jason Kennedy of State of Krisis, Tigers on Opium and Downtown Ian Brown of the Hub City Hillbillies also performed at Saturday night’s benefit. 

In total, those in attendance at the benefit tentatively raised more than $14,000 according to Filer. 

For those who missed the benefit but would still like to donate, Filer has shirts with him and Ames pictured on them as well as a sticker with Ames’ final social media post for sale at McFiler’s Chehalis Theater with all proceeds going toward Ames’ children. 

“In typical Justin fashion, his last post before he died was, ‘well, that sucked,’” Filer said Saturday night. 

Additionally, Filer set up a GoFundMe for those who wish to donate which can be found online at https://www.gofundme.com/f/justin-ames. As of noon on May 22, a total of $13,880 had been raised.