Arby's dishes up solid support for the United Way - for the sixth year!
Kelowna, BC. - October 28, 2003

The management and staff of Arby's Restaurants on Harvey Avenue worked hard to teach volunteers how to serve food and take care of customers last Friday as they hosted their sixth annual United Way promotion. Community celebrities, media stars and the movers and shakers all joined forces to pour drinks, serve sandwiches and clean tables during the annual fundraiser. "They did an awesome job," says Mel Kotler, Chairperson of the 2003 United Way Campaign. "They wanted to beat their previous years' campaigns and they did. They raised $5100 for the United Way agencies that serve three out of every ten people here in the Okanagan." In addition to contributing $2 for every sandwich sold during the 24-hour period, Arby's also hosted a contest between a team of Kelowna Firefighters and a Kelowna Media team, both fighting to devour the most roast beef sandwiches in five minutes. Customers who crowded around to enjoy the fun could also enter the contest by guessing the number of sandwiches the winning team would consume.

The Kelowna Firefighters ate a total of 13 of the thick Roast Beef sandwiches while the Kelowna media managed eleven. Rob Belanger of Arby's said the contest was great fun and capped the day. "Nobody really knew how many sandwiches a team of four could eat in that time, but we were ready to keep the platters coming!" He continued, "We do this because we believe in the United Way and the work that the agencies do in the community. With a third of the population using the services supported by the United Way campaign, it's a great way to give
back to the community and to our customers." The United Way campaign runs to November 30 and includes workplace and leadership campaigns to encourage giving in our community. Donations can be made by calling 860-2356 or visiting the office at 249 Lawrence Avenue, Kelowna.

The United Way is a local non-profit organization whose mission is "to
promote the organized capacity of people in our community to care for
one another."

The United Way funds community agencies that support a wide range of areas including human care services, rehabilitation, crisis services, services for children and families, people with disabilities and seniors. The organization assesses needs in our communities, pools the resources and disperses funds where the need is greatest, in the Central Okanagan.

Contacts:
Mel Kotler
Campaign Chair at 878-0565

Cynthia Waldek-Peters
Director of Fund Development at 490-9787 or 1-888-636-2356

United Way office
390 Main Street
Penticton, BC V2A 5C3
(fax) (250)868-3206
Email: office@penticton.unitedway.ca