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Youth Commission hopes dinner will help fill coffers
By Leigh Ann Maze
Saratogans were able to donate money to Saratoga's youth by simply eating dinner at McDonald's on Prospect Road Feb. 9. McDonald's donated 10 percent of all profits made between 5 and 8 p.m. to the Saratoga Youth Commission, a group of Saratoga teens appointed by the City Council to provide information about teen issues at council meetings.
Those who prefer fine dining to Big Macs can also benefit the Youth Commission by eating at Bella Saratoga on Big Basin Way Feb. 23. Bella Saratoga will donate 10 percent of profits made between 11:30 a.m. and 9:30 p.m.--but only if the customer mentions the Youth Commission or the Warner Hutton House.
James Atkin, a sophomore at Saratoga High School and a member of the Youth Commission, organized the restaurant fundraising events. Atkin met with the McDonald's and Bella Saratoga restaurant managers and negotiated dates, times and percentages to be donated.
The money raised goes into the Youth Commission's general funds, most of which are used to support the Warner Hutton House and its youth programs. The Warner Hutton House is a teen center that provides a place to hang out and free after-school activities for Saratoga youth.
"Our main goal is to raise enough funds to keep the teen center open for free for all youth of Saratoga," Atkin said.
The Warner Hutton House, which used to charge teens an hourly rate, was closed for a year in 1995 because of dropping attendance and city budget cuts. It was re-opened with reduced services, but free to all Saratoga teens in September 1996, after the Youth Commission persuaded the City Council to fund it partially on the premise that they would help raise the funds.
"We do a lot of fundraisers, and just keep chipping away at our goal," said Beverly Tucker, city staff liaison to the Youth Commission. She said the commission contributes about $10,000 annually to the Warner Hutton House. Plans are also in the works for another fundraiser with Frankie, Johnnie and Luigi Too! restaurant in the near future and two student ski trips this month.
In the past, the Youth Commission has held fundraisers at Fresh Choice and McDonald's, sometimes making a couple hundred dollars in a night, depending on the restaurant's business, Tucker said. The commission also makes money by planning and staffing school dances, car washes and other events.
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Saratoga, California Since 1955
