Restaurant's Donation Shows Importance Of Good Friends

DANBURY '" Family matters to local restaurant Rosy Tomorrow's. From its kid-friendly menu to laidback atmosphere, the restaurant's owners and staff make it clear where their values lie.

With that family theme in mind, Rosy Tomorrow's recently donated $1,000 '" collected one quarter at a time '" to local nonprofit Good Friend Mentor Program. Good Friend is a youth mentor program that caters to greater Danbury children ages 7'"14 who come from homes where they have little or no contact with one or both parents.

Rosy Tomorrow's uses an electric train that circulates the restaurant and an Uncle Sam mannequin to help raise the money they donate. With a handshake and the donation of 25 cents, children of all ages can enjoy watching as the train makes its four-minute run.

The train used to run continuously until the restaurant brought in Uncle Sam a couple of years ago.

'We instituted Uncle Sam to give back to the community, especially children's charities,' says owner Gary Kurz.

'Good Friend relies on people's help to make this program run,' said Lisa Benson, the director of Good Friend. 'Whether people are giving time, supplies, or money, it all goes toward helping the children.'