With 22 participating businesses, this year’s Dine Out to Donate was the most successful on record for Interlakes Area United Way (IAUW). Held October 5, the event raised $4,714 for IAUW’s 2023 campaign, currently underway.
This is the sixth year IAUW has partnered with local eateries for the fundraiser. Since 2017, the event has raised more than $17,000.
“Each year seems to build on the success of the last, and we love this upward trend,” said IAUW Executive Director Melissa Dougan. “We must give credit to the public for showing up as well as the business owners, managers and staff for their hard work and support. They are the reason Dine Out continues to be successful.”
For the event, 22 restaurants and eateries in Lake and Moody Counties pledged to donate a portion of the day’s sales to IAUW. Participating businesses included:
- Bluejays Bar & Grill, in Egan
- Classic Corner, in Madison
- Country Café, in Madison
- Dairy Queen, in Madison
- Hillside Steakhouse, on Lake Madison
- Hot Shots, in Madison
- JJ’s Coffee Spot, in Flandreau
- Mad Mary’s Steakhouse, in Flandreau
- Madison Golf & Country Club, in Madison
- Nicky’s Restaurant, in Madison
- Nunda Bar & Grill, in Nunda
- OneStop, in Madison
- Pizza Ranch, in Madison
- PrimeTime Tavern, in Madison
- Sporty’s Bar & Grill, in Madison
- Stadium Sports Grill, in Madison
- Strive 605, in Madison
- Subway, in Madison
- Sundog Coffee, in Madison
- Taste & See, in Madison
- The Lakes Bar & Grill, on Lake Madison
- The Office, in Madison
Hef’s Bar & Grill in Chester held a separate but related event on October 14 and also contributed to the event’s success.
On behalf of all participating businesses, business owners Cam Shafer and Rob Honomichl presented the earnings to IAUW. Shafer owns Sporty’s Bar & Grill and Honomichl owns Sundog Coffee. Both businesses have participated in the annual event since its inception in 2017.
“Our small business relies on local support, so we strongly believe in giving back,” said Honomichl. “We are happy to partner with United Way for Dine Out to Donate and help build stronger, more enriched communities.”
IAUW provides financial support to non-profit, community service agencies and programs in Lake, Miner and Moody counties. It aims to create long-lasting changes by focusing on the building blocks for a good life: education, financial stability and health.
IAUW will announce 2023 funding after the new year. The organization awarded over $127,000 in grant funding to 33 non-profit partners in 2022.
Pictured, from left to right: Sporty’s Bar & Grill owner Cam Shafer, Sundog Coffee owner Rob Honomichl, IAUW Executive Director and Vice President Danielle Kearin.