Take a break from cooking on Thursday for Rotary’s first Rudolph Dine Out Day and help out your favorite local restaurants while making sure 300 local kids get to see Christmas.

After the organizers of the first Rotary Rudolph Drive Thru Breakfast made the difficult decision to cancel the event, they moved on to Rotary Rudolph Dine Out Day, which will be held on Thursday at participating restaurants in Westside and Peachland.

People are encouraged to dine out either alone or in their bladder at one of the 13 participating restaurants and add $ 5 to their bill as a donation to the Westside Salvation Army.

The event will raise funds for the Westside Salvation Army’s Christmas gift program, which is designed to ensure that every child and teenager in our community wakes up to something special on Christmas morning.

It’s been a challenging year for the Salvation Army.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the thrift store had to temporarily close for three months at the beginning of the year. There are fewer red kettles in the community this season, and the Salvation Army has lost key fundraisers for holidays like the Santa Bus.

The Westside Salvation Army is having one of its busiest Christmases and needs the community’s help more than ever during these troubled times, said Lenetta Parry of the Army.

They expect to help 300 children and young people this Christmas

“We are determined not to let COVID ruin Christmas,” said Parry.

Participating restaurants include Friends Pub, Gasthaus am See in Peachland, Il Mercato Social Kitchen, Kekuli Cafe and Kelly O’Bryan’s

West Kelowna, Murrays Pizza, Neighbors Pub, Pizzamoreh, the Dobbin Road Starbucks location, all three Westside Tim Hortons and Wings West Kelowna.

“We are so happy to live in a community where the restaurant and the business community are so supportive of us, come on board and help.”

Parry said, adding that many of the restaurants have promotions on Thursday.

Starbucks customers on Dobbin Road can enjoy a free breakfast sandwich from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. with a donation of at least $ 5.

Kelly O’Bryan’s West Kelowna and Friends Pub are each offering 10% off your order with a $ 5 donation. Murray’s Pizza is offering 10% off your order with a $ 5 donation for collection only.

Earn $ 10 for a donation of $ 5 or more

in wings at Wings West Kelowna or a

Free appetizer voucher from Neighbors Pub.

From 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., the Kekuli Café will be serving a free breakfast bacon bannock or cheese and egg bannock sandwich with a donation of at least $ 5.

Il Mercato Social Kitchen and Peachlands Gasthaus am See will match every $ 5 donation from their customers on Thursday night.

All three Westside Tim Hortons locations accept donations from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m.

The organizers recommend making reservations as the number of seated restaurants is limited.

People can contribute to Christmas gifts of hope by eating out and donating at participating venues on Thursday, scanning the QR code on the Dine Out Day poster, or donating online from home at westsidesa.ca.