Novemburger will take place this November, with the United Way of Sarnia-Lambton joining several other United Ways across Canada in what they hope will become an annual event.
“Each United Way has a slightly different variation on how the event will be run. For example, United Way Thunder Bay has gone all in with corporate sponsors, ambassadors, and community voting. However, since this is our first Novemburger in Sarnia-Lambton, we are taking a simple and fun approach,” said United Way Campaign Chair Mike Edgar.
The Thunder Bay United Way has hosted a Novemburger for six or seven years, starting with a simple format. Today, they raise tens of thousands of dollars and have several dozen restaurants involved.
"We are so pleased to have 11 restaurants/locations already signed up. The whole concept in Sarnia, and Lambton County, is that each participating restaurant will design a special "United Way Burger", for the entire month of November. Each participating restaurant will donate $2 from each burger sold during the month to the United Way," Edgar explained.
He noted that any restaurant, regardless of whether it specializes in burgers, can participate. “Even non-traditional burger restaurants can join in". For instance, Dattolo’s, which is not known for burgers, will offer a Pulled Pork Burger, and Rondo’s Pizza in Bright’s Grove will develop a Pizza Burger,
Other participating restaurants so far include Christos, Stokes Inland, both the Sarnia and Corunna locations of Burger Rebellion, Los Puntos Cantina, John's Restaurant, Sherwood Village Restaurant, Haywood’s Hideaway in Brigden, and Actor’s Casual Dining in Petrolia.
The United Way will promote each participating restaurant and help drive traffic throughout November.
"We can see this growing in the future with customer prizes and other people choice awards," Edgar said. "I think it is a great way for the United Way to start to wind down the fall campaign as we get closer to the end of the year when the campaign officially ends," he added.
Edgar mentioned that more information will be available soon, and burger enthusiasts are encouraged to visit the United Way of Sarnia-Lambton’s social media accounts for updates on Novemburger news, or monitor the United Way website at www.theunitedway.on.ca. “We hope customers will take selfies and tag both the restaurant and the United Way when enjoying a burger at one of the participating locations.”
Restaurant owners and managers in Sarnia-Lambton who are interested in participating or learning more are encouraged to contact Dave Brown, or Ryan Doyle at 519 336-5452, or email [email protected] or [email protected].
More information will be available soon, and burger fans are encouraged to visit the United Way of Sarnia-Lambton's social media accounts to stay updated on exciting Novemburger news or check the United Way website at www.theunitedway.on.ca. Customers are also invited to take selfies and tag both the restaurant and the United Way when enjoying a burger at one of the participating locations.
For more information, please contact Ryan Doyle at 519-336-5452 ext. 8 or Dave Brown at 519-384-9270.