Cape Bob Evans restaurants to host veterans themed fund-raiser
Bob Evans and Veterans Outreach Program are teaming up to help vets in Lee County.
Both Cape Coral Bob Evans locations are hosting their first “Community Fun Nights” starting Monday, Jan. 10, and 15 percent of proceeds from those who bring in a special flyer will go back to Veterans Outreach.
The Ohio-based Bob Evans chain regularly hosts Community Fun Nights nationwide, but those community themed events never reached Cape Coral.
Sandra Basilio, who recently transferred from a Bob Evans in Ohio, said she essentially brought the program with her. Basilio now works at the Del Prado store as assistant manager.
“Up north we were strongly into Community Fun Nights but they weren’t really doing these types of things down here,” Basilio said. “Money can go toward any type of organization, anything that needs money raised.”
The Veterans Outreach Program is a nationwide non-profit group that helps vets in a variety of ways.
With offices in Ohio, Kentucky and Florida, the program helps to provide financial help for a variety of needs, including shelter for homeless vets, rent, utility payments for terminated or near-termination accounts, auto repair, clothing, insurances, relocation, glasses and lay counseling, among other services.
With a local office in Bonita Springs, Veterans Outreach advertising coordinator Lisa Davidson said the group also tries to support other veteran organizations, locally and nationally.
“We also donate money to other worthy charities that support vets,” Davidson said.
The flyer is required for patrons to take part in the event. Flyers are available at both Cape Coral Bob Evans locations, but will not be available during the day of the event.
Basilio said it is important for the word to get out about the Community Fun Nights, so that groups know there’s another fund-raising opportunity available to them.
Basilio added this will likely be the first of many Community Fun Nights to come, regardless of the turnout.
Basilio said she will likely seek out other non-profit groups or high schools that might need some financial help.
“I’m going to reach out to other organizations myself,” Basilio said. “This is the first one so I don’t know what to expect, but if I get one customer in here its worth it.”
Bob Evans Community Fun Nights are Jan. 10 and 24, from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., at both Cape Coral locations — one on Del Prado Boulevard and the other on Pine Island Road.
For more information, contact Basilio at 573-9422.