Restaurants put community fundraisers on menu

La Conner residents have an appetite for supporting local causes.

To help feed that generous spirit, the community’s restaurants and cafes have added regular fundraising events to their menus.

In February, Santo Coyote Mexican Kitchen donated 20% of one day’s proceeds to the family of Swinomish teen and La Conner High School grad Danny “Dano” Rapada, who earlier this year underwent a kidney transplant in Seattle.

That event, including separate donations by the restaurant’s staff and residents, raised over $1,900.

“Santo Coyote was amazing,” Jaime Stroebel-Reinstra, who helped coordinate the fundraiser, said afterward. “Santo Coyote was so generous to provide the food, space, and donate a portion of their profits to Dano.”

In March, Santo Coyote held a similar fundraising day for the La Conner High School senior class.

“They are so faithful to the community,” Stroebel-Reinstra said.

Saturday, March 26, The Slider Café held a fundraiser for La Conner Hook & Ladder, with a percentage of the restaurant’s sales donated to the town’s fire department. The Slider’s staff also made available a “fire boot” for donors to fill with contributions.

The Slider Café also put together a recipe for success.

“Slider’s and the community donated over $1,500 on their La Conner Fire Department charity day,” Hook & Ladder Chief Aaron Reinstra said.

“A special thank you,” he said, “goes out to Santo Coyote and The Slider Café for all the love and support they give us.”