Tips for Tots to be held Wednesday at Eat ‘n Park
By CRAIG HOWELL, City EditorArticle Photos
The employees of Eat 'n Park are once again reaching out to help others.
On Wednesday, the restaurant will be holding its annual Tips for Tots event, with all tips and donations collected between 11 a.m. and 9 p.m. going to Children's Hospital.
The Tips for Tots drive is part of the company's Caring for Kids campaign, which started Nov. 10.
This year's campaign co-chairs are managers Benny Taylor and Jason Katrencik, with Liz Bonovich and other employees organizing much of the Tips for Tots event.
"This is a great way for the community to help out," Taylor said. "Weirton is a great community and always helps out in a time of need."
Taylor explained this will be his first year working on the Tips for Tots event, and he is looking forward to it. Last year's event raised approximately $2,400 in Weirton, which Taylor said was mostly because of bad weather. This year, they are hoping to bring in at least $3,000 from the Weirton restaurant. Company-wide, Eat 'n Park has set a goal of $320,000.
One of the things Weirton does differently from many other Eat 'n Park restaurants is to have guest servers come in and work with the restaurant's employees.
"We have local personalities that are going to be showing up," Taylor said.
There also will be performances throughout the day from the Weirton Heights Elementary Bell Ringers; Mark Lidget and Herb Lloyd, who will be playing guitar; magician Jim Tate; the Salt and Pepper Barbershop group and the St. Paul School Choir.
In addition, there are various raffles available during the campaign, including a chance to win a Mercury Mariner. Bonovich explained local raffle items include a Santa Claus rug donated by Simon's Carpet, a handmade snowman decoration, a Ponderosa Golf package, carpet cleaning from Apollo and a basket with WVU merchandise.
Employees also held a bake sale on Sunday, with all proceeds to be included in the campaign.
"I think it's going to be a really good turnout," Taylor said. "The weather looks like it's going to stay in our favor this year."
Taylor explained Children's Hospital plans to open a new wing this year dedicated to Eat 'n Park and the work the company has done over the years.
(Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com)
