Restaurant Neighbor Award 2008 Finalist
District of Columbia

McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurant
Washington, DC

Started by Washington Post columnist Bob Levey, the “Send a Kid to Camp” program began nearly 20 years ago to raise funds for summer camp programs for disadvantaged kids. In 1997, McCormick & Schmick’s first restaurant in the District decided it could make a larger impact for the program. The restaurant began donating proceeds from sales of select menu items — which Levey promoted each week throughout the summer in his column. As the program grew, each new McCormick & Schmick’s in the D.C. area began participating, making the company the second-largest fundraiser for the “Send a Kid to Camp” effort. Each summer the company raises more than $10,000; all area locations engage in a friendly competition to raise the most money. So far, McCormick & Schmick’s has donated nearly $100,000 toward the program, enabling hundreds of disadvantaged kids to attend camp.

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