Dine United and Dream United to take place in Denton County November 2-6

by Staff of Denton Business & Community News

The ever-present question, “What’s for dinner?” now has an answer.

During the week of November 2 through 6, show your support of United Way and its 26 partner agencies by visiting participating restaurants and hotels during the Dine United and Dream United campaign.

Pick a different Dine United restaurant to visit each day and round out the week with an overnight stay at one of Denton’s Dream United hotels. Participating restaurants and hotels will donate a portion of their proceeds to United Way and its partner agencies.

Dine United restaurants include Beth Marie’s Old-Fashioned Ice Cream, Carino’s Italian Restaurant, Chestnut Tree Garden Tea Room, Cool Beans, El Guapo’s, Giuseppe’s Italian Restaurant, Good Eats Café, Hannah’s, Jason’s Deli, La Milpa, Ruby’s Diner on the Square, Rudy’s Country Store & BBQ, and the two Denton and one Corinth locations of Wendy’s. Dream United hotels include Quality Inn & Suites and Hampton Inn & Suites.

Ken Willis, owner of Ruby’s Diner on the Square, has participated in the Dine United campaign for several years and feels it’s important that local business owners do their part to give back to the community.

“Giving something back to the community is the biggest thing,” Willis said. “Plus, it’s nice that people can take a little break and go out and eat while doing something good.”

Dine United and Dream United are part of the community-wide United Way of Denton County campaign. Last month, Caleb O’Rear, CEO of Denton Regional Medical Center and 2009 United Way Campaign Chair, announced a goal of $2.45 million for this year at the Campaign Kick-Off Luncheon. He noted that Denton is very fortunate to be somewhat of a thoroughfare to the Metroplex, and that exposure allows the community to capitalize on the restaurant and hotel sector of the United Way campaign.

“The success of Dine United and Dream United is crucial and it has always laid a foundation for the overall success of our Denton County Campaign,” O’Rear said.

Community-wide support for United Way through participation in the Dine United and Dream United campaigns comes at a time when the need for services provided by United Way partner agencies is at an all-time high.

Interfaith Ministries of Denton, Inc. Executive Director Condell Garden said the agency has been forced to turn away 100 families a month for rent assistance and 150 families a month for utility assistance due to the significant increase in the number of clients seeking assistance.

“People are tending to have issues in not just one area, but maybe in several areas. They are behind on rent and utilities and have medical issues – it’s not just one problem – it’s a whole host of things that are going on in their lives,” Garden said.

For more information about the Dine United and Dream United campaign and to view the list of participating restaurants and hotels, visit www.unitedway.org/specialEvents.html.

United Way of Denton County is working to advance the common good by focusing on education, income and health – the building blocks for a good life. Through the work of partner agencies, it is their goal to help families have financial stability, build healthy communities, and help children and youth achieve their potential.