FREEDOM OF SPEECH

“EAT SOME TREATS FOR A GOOD CAUSE”

By Andy Hobbs | East Valley Tribune
Published: October 8th, 2005

Get your taste buds and sweet tooth ready to scarf down giant Rice Krispies Treats for charity. Cheba Hut will host eating contests 5 p.m. today at its Mesa location featuring those famous marshmallow treats as well as sub sandwiches. All proceeds will benefit A Hand of Hope, a growing nonprofit organization dedicated to lifting children’s spirits as they endure cancer treatments. Children in the program look forward to fun activities including sporting events and private movie screenings during recovery.

Although the restaurant’s partners have donated to charities before, this is their first big fundraising event. Kyle Dakota, general manager, wanted to ensure that A Hand of Hope would not catch and slack because of the eatery’s theme – a reason some have rejected sponsorship in the past.

Cheba Hut’s tongue-in-cheek gimmick pokes fun at marijuana and its accompanying culture. The restaurant names its sandwiches after slang terms for the plat, and its walls pay homage to classic rock stars who may or may not have inhaled.

Robert Cottrell, founder and president of the charity, lauds the restaurant’s desire to improve the lives of more than 140 sick children. He may not endorse the cannabis theme, but he certainly won’t turn down valuable financial help for the organization.

“Sometimes we have to look beyond those things,” Cottrell said. “If funds raised at any event can help us serve more kids with cancer, I’m happy with that.”

And of course, the restaurant does nothing illegal.

“We have police officers and firefighters that eat here on a regular basis,” Dakota said. “We’re a sub shop, that’s what we are. It’s really been our concern not to overstep our bounds.”

The fundraiser will begin 5 p.m. today at the restaurant, 1710 W. Southern Ave., between Alma School and Dobson roads in Mesa. Those who want to participate in the Rice Krispies Treats eating contest will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis. Contestants for the sandwich eating contest have already been chosen. For $10, visitors can indulge in an all-you-can-eat special. Prizes will be available.

To learn more about A Hand of Hope, visit www.ahandofhope.org.