Celebrity Server Night Brings In Cash for Kids

Klager principal Mrs. Mayes serving fries at Frank’s.

The Manchester Community donated $1,557 to our kids through the Manchester Community Schools Foundation (MCSF) Celebrity Server Night. This year's haul was $350 more than last year. The "celebrities" were teachers and other school personnel working at local restaurants. Kids and their parents came out to see school favorites dish up delicious food, all in the hopes of collecting some extra cash to support kids and learning in the community. At each establishment there was a "tips" jar. Stockwell's, Dairy Queen and Frank's Place all participated.

The purpose of the MCSF is to enhance the educational opportunities for our children in grades K through 12. Their fundraising projects, including Celebrity Server Night, allow the MCSF the ability to provide small grants to teachers for special projects, purchase technology and software to enhance the classroom lessons, or funding specialty programs not in the curriculum.  The goal of the foundation is not to replace or supplement normal district funding, but provide funding for special projects beyond the resources of the district.  For more information about the MCSF, please see their website.

Frank's Place alone was this year's standout earner, bringing in over $300 in credit card tips and $450 in cash.  MCSF Vice President, and third grade teacher, Karin Villarreal noted: "Frank's has typically been strong, matching the Dairy Queen; but this year they doubled the DQ in tips!" There has been a long standing, friendly, competition between the two businesses to see who can raise the most money for our kids.

"We so appreciate these three businesses," Villarreal said. "They are so willing to help and always smile when we leave.  They talk highly of the teaching staff and the work that happens with the children in our community. With all of the money-driven events of the past week we are so excited about the turn-out and donations.  The Manchester Community Rocks."

Mrs. O'Mara rushes from the kitchen at Frank's

The line is long at the Dairy Queen

Student peers in the window at the teachers in action

Mrs. Scheil making a cone at the Dairy Queen

Mrs. Lixey at Stockwells

Mrs. Birgy and Mrs. Ellsworth at Frank's

Teachers getting instructions for the night at Frank's

Mrs. Merrill filling a drink order at Frank's

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by Fritz Swanson

Fritz Swanson has written for The Believer, the Christian Science Monitor, Print Magazine, McSweeney's, Esopus, LSA Magazine, and The Mid-American Review. He serves as a trustee on the Manchester District Library Board. He's the designer and publisher of The Manchester Mirror.

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