Eat Out, Help Students Raise Money for a Wind Turbine

In an effort to raise money to purchase a wind turbine for the Hampton Bays School district, Earth Club students at Hampton Bays Middle School are asking residents to participate in a program called, "Dining to Donate."

Pamela Renna, a sixth grade teacher and co-adviser to the Earth Club, said the program links local restaurants with the fundraising effort.

"The dining to donate idea is actually "stolen" from Applebees," said Renna. "I was eating there one night and they had an advertisement on the table about a breakfast for raising money."

Immediately, Renna thought the idea would be perfect to help the students raise money for green initiatives at the school.

Renna and her co-advisor Jim Waring have already lined up area restaurants, including Panera Bread, Squiretown Restaurant, Francesca's and Friendly's.

Each Monday, starting Feb. 4 through May, the restaurants will rotate to donate a portion of the proceeds from customers who show up with a Dining to Donate Flyer to the Earth Club.

Flyers for all events are attached to this article as a PDF. Feel free to download them to bring with you to the participating restaurants.

Panera Bread kicked off the event on Feb. 4 and will participate again on March 4, April 1 and May 6.

Squiretown dates are Feb. 11, March 11, April 8 and May 13.

Francesca's will participate on Feb, 18, March 18, April 15 and May 20.

And Friendly's will offer the program on Feb. 25 and April 22.

Renna said the club hopes to raise $100 each night the program runs.

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