A good meal for a great cause

LEOMINSTER -- Several local restaurants have agreed to give up as much as 25 percent of their profits during a day in March to benefit the Leominster Education Foundation, Superintendent Nadine Binkley said. The first-ever Leominster Dining Out for Education event will take place on March 19. Fe Montesa, who is organizing the event, said that 21 local restaurants have already agreed to participate in the fundraiser. "It's not too late for more restaurants to sign up," she said. Participating restaurants have agreed to donate anywhere from 5 to 25 percent of their profits during that day. Some have agreed to donate a portion of what they take in throughout the whole day, while others will contribute profits during certain hours, Montesa said. "We are going to advertise it heavily in the newspapers and around the community so hopefully people will make a point of eating out that day," Montesa said. "That way it's a win for both the education foundation and the restaurants." Flyers informing parents of the fundraiser are also being sent home with students, Montesa said. The Leominster Education Foundation is an independent, nonprofit foundation dedicated to providing private financial support for educational projects and programs within the city's public schools. Bill Cocci, the owner of Border's Grille & Bar on Mill Street in Leominster, said he learned of the fundraiser in mid-December and immediately signed up. "We like to do anything we can for Leominster public schools," Cocci said during an interview at his restaurant Thursday. "I employ a lot of the students here and they're all really great kids." Cocci said he understands how important technology is in education. "I depend on a lot of the kids who come and work for me to show me how a lot of the new technology works," Cocci said. "I think the mission of the education foundation is great." Christine Winand, a manager at Applebee's Restaurant on North Main Street, said she expects the fundraiser to be a big success and a great community event. "My kids all attend Leominster public schools so this is a great opportunity," Winand said. "Applebee's does a lot to support the community, including holding pancake breakfasts almost every weekend." The restaurant has held similar events in the past, Winand said. "What we do is press a key at the end of the day that tallies up the total sales for that day," Winand said. "Then we take out a percentage and our corporate office will cut a check to the foundation." Bob Brammer, the general manager of Uno's Chicago Bar and Grille in Leominster, said the restaurant is happy to help out local foundations in the community. "It brings people in and it ends up working out great for the organization," Brammer said. Outback Steakhouse on Merriam Avenue in Leominster agreed to open early and donate 100 percent of its profits during a two-hour period, Montesa said. Binkley, the creator and president of the education foundation, said she came up with the idea for the fundraiser during a trip to visit her son. "I had been out in Seattle visiting my son and I saw a full-page ad in the newspaper of a number of restaurants doing this for a fundraiser," Binkley said. "So I brought the idea back with me." The initial goal of the education foundation was to raise money to purchase a mobile computer lab for every school in the district. The group purchased and donated the first two labs to Samoset Middle School and Johnny Appleseed Elementary School in December. Binkley hopes the group will have raised enough additional money by spring to donate another lab. Restaurants interested in participating in Dining Out for Education should contact the superintendent's office at 1-(978) 534-7700, ext. 316.

Article By: Dan Magazu - Sentinel and Enterprise