Murphy – Reach of Cherokee County Inc. held a special Valentine’s Day Community Night at Downtown Pizza on Feb. 14.
The event was to raise money for the services that Reach provides for victims of domestic violence that are not covered by its grants – like medication, gas vouchers and transportation.
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The restaurant was filled with happy and hungry diners. Downtown Pizza donated 30 percent of all their food sales from 4-8 p.m. to help the cause, which made dinner all the more enjoyable.
“We were gonna go to the Chinese restaurant for dinner tonight, but came here instead because of the event. We really wanted to support Reach,” Cindy Harmon of Peachtree said.
Reach had a table set up with all kinds of goodies and treats as well as informational brochures. In the center of the table sat a basket filled with gifts from the Rare Bird Emporium coffee and gift shop. The winner of the drawing for the gift basket was Ramona Hamby.
Folks were purchasing raffle tickets for $5. Parker’s Burgers & Sweets in Ranger sponsored boxes of treats that sold out quickly.
When asked how she felt about Reach and the generosity of the evening’s diners, client Brenda Grover said, “I feel great. I love them all to death.”
Lizz Aquarian, owner of Downtown Pizza, has been involved with Reach and their Valentine’s Day fundraisers for about 10 years.
“It’s important as a business to make partners in the community with something that you’re really passionate about, and that for us is Reach,” she said. “These guys are all my friends, and we’re so excited to share Valentine’s Day with them.”
There was a mix of folks dining who knew about the evening’s fundraiser, while others were unaware of the event. However, when asked how folks felt about 30 percent of their meal purchase going toward the fundraiser, everyone said they were happy to help out.
Karie Clayton came from Andrews with her family to eat dinner.
“This is good,” she said. “My mom told me about it, so I said this is where we’re gonna go for Valentine’s.”
Organizers of the fundraiser were happy with the outcome.
“We’re just excited, Downtown Pizza has always been amazing and now Parker’s Burgers & Sweets is on board,” Executive Director Cecilia Crawford-Faulkner said. “Everybody in the entire community is showing love and support.”