Eat Well and Help the Library

Chili's has long been one of my favorite chain restaurants, although I was unaware until this year that we have a branch in the Town of Poughkeepsie, right next to Bed, Bath, and Beyond across Route 9 from the Galleria Mall. Many friends of the Pleasant Valley Free Library were able to take advantage of Chili's charitable outreach to the community when they provided us with a free pancake breakfast on December 5--it was free to the library but we were able to charge $5 a person to raise money for the building-expansion fund. Nearly 60 persons were able to take advantage of the bargain breakfast with fellow library fans. A good time was had by all.

Or so I hear. I and some others I know were unable to attend that breakfast because of pressing business elsewhere that Saturday morning.

However, we are all getting a second chance through Chili's outreach. On Tuesday January 12 from 2:00 p.m. onward, diners at Chili's who provide the restaurant with a document showing that they are they are supporting the Pleasant Valley Library will once again be helping fund building expansion. A substantial portion of everything spent by friends of the Library that afternoon or evening will be donated to the fund. Be sure you have the proper form with you when you come to Chili's. These will be distributed soon by email and also will be available at the desk in the Library.

A similar program by Pizzeria Uno in November raised nearly $200 for the Library, but was marred somewhat because some friends of the Library arrived at Uno's but were turned away because, Uno's employees said, there was not room for more diners. But we do not expect a repeat of that problem on January 12, so bring your friends and enjoy a great dinner at one of my favorite chain restaurants. This time my wife and I will be there, too.