18-Feb-10 10:00 AM CST
This One's for the Kids
It’s 2010: a new year, the start of a new decade, and time to embrace a new way of thinking. Over the past 38 years, your love and support of the “little green can” and all things Tony Chachere’s have made it possible for us to grow into the company we are today. We want to show our thanks by giving back; to our local community and to communities like ours all over the country.
Last week, Todd, Cindy, Samantha, and I traveled to Daytona Beach, FL to tailgate for the Daytona 500 Race Weekend, but on Friday (2/12/10) we made a very special visit to the Boys and Girls Club of Holly Hill. Around 150 kids between the ages of 5 -18 from seven nearby BGCA’s came together to join us for a Mardi Gras celebration! We spent the afternoon cooking for the kids and getting to know them, singing along and dancing to Mardi Gras music, draping each other with Mardi Gras beads, and feasting on Tony Chachere’s chicken and sausage jambalaya, salad, dinner rolls, and King Cake!
The kids learned about Louisiana’s signature carnival holiday, and we found out about the wonderful things that the Boys & Girls Club can do for America’s children, such as provide a SafePlace, encourage higher standards in education, and stimulate a child’s creativity and self-esteem (learn more at bgca.org). Friends from the Council on Aging and the local police department stopped by to grab a plate and share in the festivities. Even the mayor of Holly Hill dropped in to issue a proclamation in honor of the occasion!
Once everyone had their fill, we had a few more surprises up our sleeves. Hal Martin, driver of the #17 car in the ARCA series, came out in full racing gear to spend time with the kids, answer questions, and sign autographs. He was a huge hit! Watching the reaction on the kids’ faces when he entered the room was an experience we’ll cherish for some time to come. (Check out what Hal had to say about the event in his latest press release: http://www.halmartinracing.com/02242010.html ) Cubby, the Daytona Cubs’ mascot, was also standing by for hugs and photo opportunities.
The afternoon drew to a close with a make-your-own Mardi Gras mask contest, which we were asked to judge and happily obliged. It was a tough decision, but we picked four winners who received special limited edition purple long sleeved Tony’s tees!
At 6pm, we said our goodbyes and made our way over to the Daytona Beach branch of the Salvation Army to donate the leftover food to those in need. What a rewarding experience. I daresay we had more fun than the kids did!
Rating: 5.00 / 5.00
-
2 ratings
Comments:
•
del.icio.us
digg
facebook
For additional information on this News article, please contact:
Celeste Chachere
Related Documents:
Content Tags: news •
Return to the Tony Chachere Articles Search Page
That is such an awesome thing for you guys to do! You guys are great! I love Tony's and use it on just about everything...If I run out, I'll make a special trip just to get that one item! My hat is off to you all, great job!