FARGO, ND – The ND Hospitality Association, the trade association for the North Dakota restaurant, lodging, and beverage industry, Wednesday afternoon presented the Restaurant Neighbor Award to Apple Core Inc, which operates Fargo’s Applebee’s restaurants. The Restaurant Neighbor Award is a program that recognizes outstanding community service in the restaurant industry. It is a program of the National Restaurant Association, awarded in partnership with the ND Hospitality Association and American Express.
Fargo’s Applebee’s restaurants won the award for an act of service that took place on November 15, 2008. On that day, the three Applebee’s restaurants in Fargo hosted a fundraising breakfast for the local chapter of Disabled Veterans of America (DAV). The event raised a total of $7,000, which has been used to help defray transportation costs to disabled veterans who travel to and from medical appointments.
“Restaurants are the cornerstones of communities across North Dakota, and philanthropy is the natural extension of the spirit that leads us into the hospitality industry,” said Rudie Martinson, Executive Director of the ND Hospitality Association. “Applebee’s has provided a fine example of a project that enhances the quality of life for all we serve, and we are proud to recognize that accomplishment.”
In addition to the fundraising event, on Veterans Day 2008 all active duty and veteran members of the US Military were offered complimentary meals at North Dakota’s Applebee’s restaurants. The company plans to expand this program for Veterans Day 2009, making the program a nationwide initiative to thank veterans for their service.
“I am honored to accept this award on behalf of Applebee’s today,” said Abe Sakak, Chief Operating Officer of Apple Core, Inc. “We want to take this opportunity to again thank our partners that helped make this effort a success. Also, we would especially like to thank our veterans for their service to our country, and affirm that Applebee’s will never forget the value of that service.”
Applebee’s expansion of the program for 2009 is set to offer complimentary meals to active service members and veterans. Radio Fargo Moorhead, which partnered with Applebee’s to put on the 2008 event, will partner with the restaurants again for 2009. The 2009 DAV fundraiser is scheduled for November 7th.
For more information of the Restaurant Neighbor Award, visit http://www.restaurant.org/community/rna/index.cfm
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Source: ND Hospitality Assoc, KFGO News Center
