Spaghetti Dinner Success:Thank You to our Volunteers

The daily grind of running a business usually entails daily requests for donations. As most business owners know, it is just fiscally impossible to be charitable to every request. The main goal of running a business is to make money for the business, not to give it away. And as most business owners know, saying no truly is a difficult thing.

Of course, there is the human side that wants to help and contribute to every donation request. But the fiscal side just doesn't allow for it, especially in our current economy. You have to be selective from not only a business perspective, but from a relations perspective. How can you contribute to one event, but not another? Where do you draw that line, and how do you draw that line? These are things we must deal with, and sometimes have to make difficult decisions.

We choose to do the spaghetti dinner because we are using our facility, our staff, and our time. There are not many places that could serve well over a thousand meals in a few hours going up against the likes of the NCAA Championship Basketball game! We also considered when selecting this function - as our main charity event - the fact that all the donations generated stay in our community and are used 100% for a true local need. 

Because we use our staff, who selflessly give up their time and the opportunity to make money, we want to take a moment to thank everyone who is incredibly generous in donating their time. Many of them put in a full eight hour shift to ensure this event goes off with out a hitch. Some were here all day. Some came in early in the morning to set up tables, chairs, and to move boxes upon boxes of items we needed to make it through the night. Some came in on Sunday to make spaghetti for 6 tireless hours, and some made spaghetti sauce until the cows came home!

We also have several friends and customers that participate in many ways. Whether it is tossing salad, packing carry outs, dishing spaghetti, or shuttling food... it is appreciated! We generally start a week ahead making sauce with it gradually turning into a frenzy of activity by the time the doors open. We could not do it with out all of you. This year we helped to generate over $14,000 for this school for developmentally disabled children.

The Lighted Way also supplies a huge amount of helpful and enthusiastic volunteers. I always get a kick out of how they react to their one night of the year in the restaurant business. Last but not least, thank you to everyone who came out and donated to this great cause. All in the name of a plate of spaghetti! As long as you keep turning out, we will continue to be charitable.

Here is the list of all of the generous people from the Uptown's end that participate. Thanks! We could not do this with out you:

Ryan Anderes - Emersyn Anderes

Rita Anderes - Ray Anderes

Jim Lannen - Ava Lannen

Chris Plankenhorn - Marsha Klimek

Mary Halberg - Kelly Jeppson

Charis Sherman - Geena Biccochi

Josh Theisinger - Chuck Messino

Sheila Powell - Brett Witek

Emily Haage - Laura Nettleton

Megan Considine - Katherin Kaszynski

Tracey Schmitz - Jen Love

Brendan Corrigan - Craig Bartlett

Steve Jensen - Jamie Jensen

Julie Scott - Sara Fitzpatrick

Nate Morell - Haily Backes

Amy Mareta - Jackie Battaglia

Kim Washalesky - Jeff Boyd

Doug Overly & Hyvee

Maze Nails

Sysco Chicago - Kim Parker