PANAMA CITY BEACH — A well-known beachfront restaurant is gearing up for a week-long fundraiser to benefit nine charities.
From August 19-25, Pineapple Willy’s Restaurant in Panama City Beach will host its annual Pay It Forward fundraiser, where the restaurant will donate 100% of that week’s profits to a number of nonprofit organizations.
The charities being supported this year are: Beach Care Services, Girls Inc. of Bay County, PanCare of Florida Inc., Early Learning Coalition of Northwest Florida, Gulf Coast Children’s Advocacy Center, Lucky Puppy Rescue, The Arc of the Bay, Panama City Beach Paws & Claws, and BASIC of NW Florida.
“It’s always been important to (Pineapple Willy’s) to give back to the community,” said Melissa Traxler, the restaurant’s CEO. “This is just a great way to do that. A lot of people really want to give back and want to do something, and for this event in particular, all you have to do is come eat, have a drink and have a good time.”
Traxler noted that the Pay It Forward fundraiser began more than two decades ago at Pineapple Willy’s. Last year was the most successful in its history, raising about $151,000 for charities across seven charities.
Due to the success, the restaurant staff decided to add two more charities this year.
“For years we’ve only done three (charities), and that was usually for five days,” Traxler said. “But last year we decided on seven nonprofits for seven days. This year we added two more.”
For Traxler, it’s up to the community to do their part to support local charities. She believes the Pay It Forward fundraiser is the perfect way for the common man to help.
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Pineapple Willy’s Restaurant is located at 9875 S. Thomas Drive in Panama City Beach.
“All these nonprofits need us, and they need help from the community,” Traxler said. “We’re just trying to spread the love as far as we can.”
This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Pineapple Willy’s to Host Pay It Forward Fundraiser August 19-25
