Offering our Thanks:Spaghetti Dinner Success

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. 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 $12,000 for this school for developmentally disabled children. We learned the evening of our benefit that we were up against a couple of other area fundraising dinners, and to still raise that much money is an amazing thing. Thank you!

Click here to view additional photos from this year's event.

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: There are so many volunteers from both the Uptown, The Lighted Way and local businesses that if we do forget someone, we apologize. 

Rita, Ray & Ryan Anderes

Jim Lannen - Ava Lannen

Chris Plankenhorn - Joseph Plankenhorn
Marsha Klimek - Mary Halberg
 Ryan Giacometti - Roberta & Alley Wright

Charis Sherman - Geena Biccochi

Josh Theisinger - Chuck Messino

 Ashley & Shayne Rounds

Mary Considine - Maddie Caruthers

Alan Eschenbaum - Mike Reagan

Drew & Denise Bernabei - Jerry Nosalik

Megan Considine - Katherin Kaszynski

Tracey Schmitz - Katie Doyle

Brendan Corrigan - Craig Bartlett

Steve Jensen - Jamie Jensen

Matt Marusich - Melinda Holm

Julie Scott - Sara Fitzpatrick &Evan

Joran Soja - Haily Backes

Nolan &  Kim Washelesky - 
Jed Andreoni and Nelena Ziano

 Hyvee - Maze Nails & Sysco Chicago - Kim Parker

All of the Lighted Way staff and their numerous volunteers ~ Thank You!