ESTEVAN - The Burgers for a Cause fundraiser at Black Beard's Restaurant has wrapped up after more than a year and a half of donations.
The initiative started in May 2020 at Black Beard's, located within the Days Inn Estevan. Every Tuesday during the campaign, $5 from each burger and fries special would be donated to a local organization.
More than $53,000 was raised for 75 organizations over the life of the fundraiser, with more than 10,000 combos sold.
Days Inn Estevan general manager Jeff Pierson said he was "surprised and blown away" with the amount of money raised. They also created awareness of the organizations.
"You wanted each one to be extremely successful, to help them out as much as you can, and seeing the gratitude they showed towards what we had raised was very rewarding," said Pierson. "And it just shows what this community does."
There were a handful of organizations that some customers hadn't heard of before Burgers for a Cause.
"I think there was a group of people that it didn't matter what the week was supporting, they were going to support Burgers for a Cause," said Pierson.
But the staff at the Days Inn thought that the fundraiser had run its course, since they had touched so many non-profit agencies in the Estevan area.
"I think we've reached just about all of them, and of course, everything has its life span, and this was no different," said Pierson.
Occasionally a business would come on board and match the amount of money raised. For example, the most successful Burgers for a Cause came in December 2020 for the Community Hamper Association's Angel Tree program. Power Dodge matched the amount of money raised through the 342 burgers sold that day, and the final contribution was $3,420 for a cause that helps so many at Christmas each year.
Burgers for a Cause also supported some non-profits in the rural communities.
When it started shortly after the initial COVID-19 restrictions were being lifted, Pierson said nobody imagined how long the fundraiser or the support would last.
"It was really something to be part of," he said.
Black Beard's is now looking at different ways to help out the community on an ongoing basis, he said.
