Medford Sun

By AUBRIE GEORGE | The Medford Sun
Throughout the month of February, residents are encouraged to shop at Medford stores and dine at Medford restaurants in order to support Medford K though 8 public schools.
The Medford Education Foundation has announced the return of its sixth annual Dine Out for Education night as well as a brand new event called “Shop On,” both coming up in February.
On Tuesday, Feb. 2, local diners can visit over 20 participating restaurants in Medford to have breakfast, lunch, dinner or order take-out during the restaurant’s regular hours. If patrons bring a Dine Out for Education flyer with them, which will be available at MEF’s Web site, www.MEF-nj.com, and handed out at all K through 8 Schools, that states the child’s name and school, the restaurant will donate a percentage of the patron’s bill to MEF.
Over 20 restaurants are already signed up to participate in this year’s event, all of them will submit some kind of donation to Medford Schools, MEF member and event chairperson Marilyn Charles said.
Restaurants typically donate about 10 percent, but some donate more and others donate less, Charles said.
Last year, Charles said the event brought in about $3,000 that all went to furthering technology at Medford Schools.
Medford restaurants that have signed up to participate in this year’s event include Buffalo King Wings & Things, Femmina Italian Grill, Fortune Cookie, Illiano’s Restaurant, Izzie’s Eatery, Jasmine Oriental Cuisine, Subway, Medford Bagel, Tarantella Ristorante, Medport Diner, Ted’s on Main, Ott’s Medford, Zinc Café, Peter’s Sushi, Pic 3 Wings & Things, Primo Hoagies, Riviera Pizza, Rustic Grill, Salad Sensations and Sue’s Chop Stix.
PJ Whelihan’s Pub & Grill will also participate in the event on Monday, Feb. 1 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Aside from supporting local business, Charles said Dine of For Education night gives local families a great way to be together.
In addition to Dine out for Education, MEF is introducing “Shop On” which will go on throughout the entire month of February in order to promote local businesses and benefit MEF.
During the month of February, MEF will advertise and promote local stores and businesses that sign up to participate in the event. Their goal, Charles said, is to increase sales for those businesses during the month of February and to introduce new customers to each business.
The event and participating stores will be advertised through local media outlets as well as around town and in Medford K through 8 schools beginning in January and throughout February in hopes that local residents will participate by shopping at those establishments.
At the end of the month, MEF is asking those businesses for a donation in the form of a gift basket or store merchandise that can be auctioned off at MEF’s 5K Race Night’s Chinese Auction in April.
Charles said the Chinese auction will bring additional exposure for each business and will also bring in added revenue for MEF because of the desirable baskets they will have to auction off at this year’s event.
“Instead of asking for money, we’re hopefully going to increase their business throughout that month and then we’ll get something in return that we can use again in a couple months at our race,” Charles said.
Local businesses that have signed up to participate in MEF’s Shop On this year include Binkley 5 & 10, B Yourself Boutique, Competition Dog, Fond Memories, Girlfriend’s Boutique, Health Haven, Jersey Extreme Sports, Jewelry Loft, Lakes Office Supplies, Kettle of Nuts, Lotions & Potions, Medford Nails, Nadine Janet Salon & Spa, Old School Sports, Sandy Banks Women’s Clothing, Shoes on Main, and The Bright Side of Life.
All proceeds collected through MEF fundraisers go directly to Medford K through 8 schools in order to improve technology at each school and throughout the school district.
Charles said both upcoming events offer a win-win situation for both residents and businesses in Medford
“It’s a great thing all the way around because it keeps our local businesses in business which, in turn, helps our ratables for taxes,” Charles said.
Charles said these events are part of an initiative MEF has to forge a relationship between local businesses and the local schools.
“In this economy, our local businesses need as much help as our school systems do,” Charles said. “We’re all here to help each other, to grow our community.”
Restaurants and businesses can still sign up before Feb. 1 to be a part of either event.
To sign up contact Marilyn Charles at (609) 953-5890 or oldschoolsports@comcast.net
For more information about Medford Education Foundation and their upcoming events, visit their Web site at www.mef-nj.com.

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