Eat'n Park Rolls Out 2010 Caring for Kids Campaign

PITTSBURGH, Nov. 4, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Eat'n Park Restaurants is rolling out its 32nd annual Caring for Kids Campaign to raise funds for Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh UPMC. To benefit the campaign, guests are invited to purchase a raffle ticket for the chance to win a new 2011 Ford Fiesta SES.

New Candy red 2011 Ford Fiestas, provided by the Neighborhood Ford Store, will be parked at every Eat'n Park restaurant location to help promote the campaign and remind guests to purchase a $2 raffle ticket for the chance to win one of the vehicles.  One Ford Fiesta will be raffled off to one winner at the end of the campaign in December, thanks to the generosity of the Neighborhood Ford Store.

"It's that time of the year when Eat'n Park's team members and guests really shine," said Kevin O'Connell, senior vice president, Eat'n Park Restaurants. "Over the years, our guests and team members have come together to raise more than $7.5 million for children in the communities we serve. And, now, we are excited to partner with the Neighborhood Ford Store to help kids receive the care they need."

The Neighborhood Ford Store is comprised of 82 Ford dealers in southwest Pennsylvania, southeast Ohio and the panhandles of Maryland and West Virginia.  

"We couldn't think of a better way to introduce the region to the brand-new Fiesta than to park one at every Eat'n Park around town, and ultimately give one away," said Joseph Thurby, Jr., owner of Riverside Ford Sales in Confluence, Pa., and chairman of the Neighborhood Ford Store. "Moreover, many of our dealerships are run as family businesses, so we're thrilled to support a cause that helps other local families in need."

Guests may also purchase limited-edition Smiley merchandise at Eat'n Park Restaurants:  Smiley magnets for $2 and a Smiley Christmas ornament for $3.  The Neighborhood Ford Store is also providing free Caring for Kids wristbands for children under 18-years-old, while supplies last.  All proceeds benefit the Caring for Kids campaign, which will run through December 12.

Now in its 32nd year, Eat'n Park's Caring for Kids Campaign has raised more than $6 million for the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, and hundreds of thousands of dollars for other children's hospitals throughout the dining chain's footprint. Monies collected from the campaign stay in the communities where it was donated, making it a true locally and community-driven fundraiser.

In addition to www.eatnpark.com, guests may visit www.FordFiesta4Kids.com for more information about the campaign and learn how they can help support the effort.

About Eat'n Park

Since 1949, Pittsburgh-based Eat'n Park Restaurants has been a family-owned restaurant chain, serving guests across 76 Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia locations. Its 8,000-plus team members are proud to support a growing number of community initiatives, including raising more than $7 million for children's hospitals, and pioneering the use of sustainable agriculture practices with local farmers through the chain's FarmSource program.  The company also donates more than 200,000 Smiley Cookies -- the brand's iconic symbol -- every year to community events.  

Eat'n Park was recognized nationally by the Points of Light Foundation as one of the country's leading organizations in promoting volunteerism, as well as a national recipient of the prestigious American Business Ethics Award.  It is a division of the Eat'n Park Hospitality Group, which also operates concepts focused on personalized dining, including Parkhurst Dining Services (contract dining), CURA Hospitality (senior living facilities) and Six Penn Kitchen (upscale, casual dining). www.eatnpark.com.

About 2011 Ford Fiesta

Introduced to American drivers this summer, the Fiesta has been one of the most popular vehicles in Europe and around the world, with roughly one million having been sold in the past two years. The Candy red 2011 Ford Fiesta SES offers 15 class-exclusive technologies and features, including highway fuel economy of 40 miles per gallon, best-in-class safety with seven airbags, including a driver's knee airbag and AdvanceTrac with Electronic Stability Control (ESC), and best-in-class convenience and connectivity with segment-exclusive SYNC voice-activated communications and entertainment technology.

SOURCE Eat'n Park Restaurants