More than 130 local restaurants and bars are participating today in #25onthe25th, the Capital Region area fundraiser to raise money for the families of the police officers killed and critically injured in the July 17 ambush attack.
Participating establishments are donating a portion of their proceeds—most at least 25%—from sales today to one of two funds established for the families of the three officers killed in the attack—Baton Rouge Police Department officers Matthew Gerald and Montrell Jackson and East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Deputy Brad Garafola, as well as for the family of EBRSO deputy Nicholas Tullier, who remains in critical condition.
Mestizo’s owner Jim Urdiales, who has helped spearhead the effort, says the outpouring of community support has been heartening and overwhelming. It’s also been a good lesson in the power of social media.
“I never truly appreciated how powerful social media is until now,” Urdiales says. “It shows that social media, if done correctly, can be used for so much good. That’s what it should be used for.”
Metro Councilmember and downtown nightclub owner John Delgado and his business partners first announced on July 18 their plan for the fundraiser. By midweek, more than three dozen businesses had signed on. As of this morning, the count topped 130 and was still growing.
“The response from businesses has been overwhelming,” Delgado says. “It’s a great symbol of community support for our law enforcement officers.”
Urdiales says he isn’t sure what to expect today in terms of sales volume on what is normally one of the slower days of the week, but he predicts it will be very busy based on the calls he’s received.
While the fundraising campaign has a catchy numerical name, some local businesses are actually donating more than 25% of sales. Another Broken Egg’s two locations in Baton Rouge are donating 100% of proceeds to the cause. Other bars and restaurants are rounding up their contribution to 30%, Urdiales says. Some restaurants that are typically closed on Monday are opening tonight for the event. Several that won’t be open tonight will participate later this week.
Meanwhile, hotels in the metro area are doing their part, too, offering discounted rates to law enforcement officers from out of town and for family members of the victims of the July 17 attack.
For a complete list of participating businesses, go to the Drafthouse facebook page.
—Stephanie Riegel
