PLYMOUTH – When hurricane Katrina hit, Common Man owner Alex Ray sprang into action and headed to the Gulf to aide in relief efforts. While his restaurants in N.H. lend a hand with the “Common Effort”-a fund to aid in Hurricane Katrina relief.
According to Vince Donnelly, General Manager of Fosters Steakhouse, “[Alex Ray] made up his mind pretty quick that we were going to help.”
On September 21 and 22 The Common Man restaurants held fund raising dinners in order to raise money for the relief effort.
The benefit was $20 dollars per person and all food proceeds went to the “Common Effort.” The dinner included soup or salad, an entrée, coffee, dessert, and a non-alcoholic beverage. Donnelly estimates 250 people turned out for the benefit in Plymouth between the two nights.
Donnelly felt everyone who came wanted to help. “Pretty much everyone came to dinner that night because of the fundraiser.”
According to Donnelly, the fundraising goal was $125,000 between all Common Man restaurants. This includes Fosters Steakhouse and the Italian Farmhouse in Plymouth, the Tilt’n Diner in Tilton, Common Man restaurants in Ashland, Lincoln, Concord, Windham and Merrimack, as well as Lago, Camp, Town Docks and the Lakehouse Grille in Merrimack.
In addition to the proceeds from dinner, wait staff donated their cash tips at the end of both nights. Said Donnelly, “Everyone in their own way felt they were doing their part for the effort. They felt good doing it.”
The Common Man has also created “Sip & Do Good.” This fundraiser donates 10 cents from the sale of every cup of coffee to the “Common Effort.”
Alex Ray has been traveling throughout the Gulf since his arrival departure from New Hampshire on September 10. He loaded his van with cooking supplies, food, water, and donated clothing from the Common Man restaurants.
In his online journal, Ray was hopeful that his journey to the Gulf would help New Hampshire residents make a personal connection to the tragedy. “I’ve realized that it’s hard to reach our giving potential if there’s no personal tie to an affected area, and I hope that I can be the connector that ties it together for the people of New Hampshire.”
For more information about the “Common Effort” or to read Alex Ray’s online journal log on to www.thecman.com. While a destination for the relief fund has not been chosen yet, donations can be made at the “Common Effort” secure website: secure.thecman.com/donate. cfm.