Members of parent-council at Fred C. Cook Public School have launched a fundraiser with local restaurants this month to help raise money for the school, its supplies and activites.
On select days in November, each participating restaurant will be donating a portion of the proceeds to the local school.
“Covid has made it very difficult for schools to fundraise like they have in the past,” shares Rosi Martin, one of the parent volunteers with Fred C. Cook Public School. “There are still no parent volunteers allowed within the school buildings (and) most fundraising campaigns such as hot lunches, selling of products… require parent support. So, we had to think outside the box to try and raise the funds that the school still really relies on.”
Martin approached select Bradford restaurants to help with the fundraiser and explains that each restaurant is donating in different ways.
John Chang, owner of Firehouse Subs in Bradford, chose to donate $1 from the sale of every sub sandwich sold on Thursday Nov. 4 .
“When I first started this business, my whole point was to help the community. So, when Rosi contacted me, it was a no brainer,” shares Chang. “I have young ones too, so it’s important to me, even though they don’t go to the school.”
The first fundraiser at Chang’s Firehouse Subs collected $366.40 from 286 sandwich sales.
Martin would like to set a goal to match the amount raised at Firehouse Subs at the next fundraiser happening at Boston Pizza in Bradford next Wednesday Nov. 10 from 5 - 8 p.m. where 10 per cent of sales will be donated to the school.
“If you’re getting take-out anyways, why not go here and help donate towards the school too,” encourages Martin.
The fundraiser will carry over to Bradford’s Don Cherry’s Sports Grill restaurant on Tuesday Nov. 16 where 10 per cent of all food and beverage sales from the entire day will be donated back to the school.
This is Don Cherry’s first time participating in a Fred C. Cook fundraiser, and Martin says one of the owner’s nephew attends the school as well.
Returning sponsor Dominos Pizza (Bradford) has been a "forever-supporter"of Fred C. Cook Public School’s fundraising initiatives and will be donating $5 from every BPSS coupon redeemed at the store on Thursday Nov. 23.
“That is the code to use for online orders so our school gets credit for the $5 kickback,” explains Martin. "Each restaurant is doing it a little different… and it’s great!”
