OREGON RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION LAUDS COMMUNITY SERVICE OF RESTAURANTS
Applauds Winners of Governor’s Community Service Award for Restaurants
[Wilsonville] – The Oregon Restaurant Association today applauded the six state winners of the second annual Governor’s Community Service Award for Restaurants—a program established with SYSCO Food Services of Portland to honor and recognize restaurant operators who go above and beyond in supporting their communities.
“These are great examples of the philanthropic spirit that is so prevalent in the Oregon restaurant industry, as well as in restaurants nationwide,” said Mike McCallum, Oregon Restaurant Association President/CEO. “Restaurants have long served as social oases, as venues for community group meetings and fundraisers, as meal-providers for the hungry, and as supporters of youth activities, in addition to serving high quality meals.”
The winners of the 2006 Governor’s Community Service Award for Restaurants are:
- Hole in the Wall Barbecue, Eugene
- Tin Shed Garden Café, Portland
- Smoky Hearth Pizza Company, Sandy
- Shari's Restaurants, Beaverton
- McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurants, Portland
- Mo's Restaurants, Newport.
These finalists will be recognized by Governor Ted Kulongoski during the Bite of Oregon, which will take place at Tom McCall Waterfront Park August 11 - 13, 2005. The ceremony will be held on the main stage at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 12. They will also be recognized before their peers at the Oregon Restaurant Association Annual Leadership Conference in Sunriver September 17 – 19.
“Philanthropy can help tie a community together, and nine out of 10 restaurants are involved in some type of charitable activity,” said SYSCO Food Services of Portland President Scott Sonnemaker. “We are pleased to shine the spotlight on restaurants that go above and beyond in service and giving, and to underscore that restaurants are truly the cornerstone of local communities. I wholeheartedly congratulate all six winners of the Governor’s Community Service Award for Restaurants.”
The top two nominees (Large Business and Small Business categories) will receive a $500 gift to the charity of their choice and will represent Oregon to compete for the national Restaurant Neighbor Award, which recognizes outstanding programs in local communities across the country. Winners at the national level will be flown to Washington D.C. to receive national recognition and a $5,000 donation to the charity of their choice.
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The Oregon Restaurant Association is the leading business association for the restaurant industry in Oregon, which is comprised of over 9,000 restaurant and foodservice outlets and a work force of 120,000 employees - making it the cornerstone of the economy, career opportunities and community involvement. The Association works to represent, educate and promote the rapidly growing industry. For more information, visit our Web site at www.ora.org.
