VanCamp House in Port Sanilac Wins Philanthropy Award
LANSING, Mich., – The Michigan Restaurant Association (MRA) today announced The VanCamp House in Port Sanilac as the winner of the eleventh annual Restaurant Neighbor Award. The award, created by the National Restaurant Association (NRA), honors restaurants for their commitment to community service and innovative community projects.
The VanCamp House will now compete with winners from other states for national awards to be presented in September.
“The VanCamp House is a prime example of the generosity and philanthropy restaurants across the state exhibit every day of the year in their communities,”said Rob Gifford, MRA president and chief executive officer. “It is an honor to present the Restaurant Neighbor Award which recognizes commitment and innovation in community service. The award is a great way to shine the spotlight on and honor the many things restaurateurs do each day to make our communities better places to live and work.”
The VanCamp House operates a scholarship program that benefits current and college-bound students who work at the establishment. In the first year of the program, the program gave $2,000 in scholarship money to four employees. The program, which just completed its third year in operation, received so much attention locally that VanCamp House owners Andy and Pam Fabian expect to give $5,000 this year.
“Restaurants have long been true cornerstones of local communities across the country – in fact, nine out of 10 restaurants are involved in community service – and we are very pleased to recognize their efforts with our Restaurant Neighbor Award,” said Dawn Sweeney, NRA president and chief executive officer Dawn Sweeney. “Each year, we learn of new and innovative ways restaurants serve local communities across the nation.”
The Restaurant Neighbor Award honors charitable contributions of restaurants and restaurateurs. The VanCamp House will contend with winners from other states and be eligible for the national awards. A grand prize winner will be announced in September.A profile of each state winner’s community involvement will be highlighted in a booklet that the National Restaurant Association will distribute in the fall, as well as on the association’s web site, www.restaurant.org/community.
The Michigan Restaurant Association (MRA) is the recognized leader of Michigan's hospitality industry, providing essential services to the foodservice community. Founded in 1921, the MRA represents more than 4,500 Michigan foodservice establishments. The industry plays an integral role in Michigan's economy, employing more than 423,600 people and creating more than $13.1 billion in annual sales. For more information please call 800-968-9668.
Copyright 2010 by Michigan Restaurant Association 800-968-9668 .
