Local Salt Lake City 5th grade student Matthew Cooper was selected for a free dinner for eight for his artwork submitted to Benihana’s 2012 Children Helping Children Coloring Contest. With the help of Matthew Cooper’s efforts, Benihana raised more than $55,000 in support of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, nearly doubling last year’s donation.
Matthew Cooper is one of several children who were selected for their vision on how children can help others. Throughout the month of April, children who visited any Benihana location nationwide were encouraged to draw a picture to signify what the theme of “Children Helping Children” means to them. For each entry form collected, Benihana donated $1 to St. Jude Children, one of the world’s premier centers for the research and treatment of pediatric cancer and other deadly childhood diseases. Each restaurant selected a winning entry to receive dinner for eight people – a $250 value.
The coloring contest was part of Benihana’s broader initiative to celebrate Japanese heritage while supporting St. Jude. Every year on May 5, Japan celebrates the happiness of the nation’s children with a day of fun and games known as Children’s Day.
The total collected funds from Children’s Day Kids Meals on May 5 and the coloring contest entries were presented during a private party for the patients and families of St. Jude on May 8. As part of the celebration, guests were treated to a special evening and complimentary teppanyaki dinner prepared by top Benihana chefs.
No comments:
Post a Comment