Melting Pot Helps Raise Funds for Habitat For Humanity

Over 100 community members gathered at the Melting Pot of Gaithersburg's Community Dining Night on March 3  in support of Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery County MD, Inc.

“It is something special, all the things, Habitat does,” stated Daniel Stockton, the Gaithersburg location's general manager.

The restaurant donated 20 percent of the night’s total sales to Habitat.

“We approached them to see if they would be interested in partnering,” Stockton said. “This is a great way to get the people in our community together.”

The Melting Pot offered a $30 per person deal that included cheese fondue, salad, entrée and chocolate fondue.

“A little over $1,000 was raised last night” according to Emily Bantleon, Melting Pot District Marketing Manager.      

“It is important to give back to the community” said Stockton. “Everyone that works here lives in the County and it is a great way to show our support.”

“It was a positive event and we are really happy for that,” said Habitat’s Development Associate Alex Chagouris. “This will be a great partnership and we look forward to partnering with them again.”

Chagouris said initially she thought a high end restaurant would not be interested in a community night, but after they were approached she said, why not. The Melting Pot offered a great deal and it is a restaurant you go to for the experience, she said.

Habitat literature and volunteer sign-up sheets were displayed in the bar area so diners unfamiliar with Habitat for Humanity could learn more and get involved.

Chris Snyder was there for two reasons—fondue and to find out more about Habitat. “My Dad used to volunteer with them (Habitat) a couple years ago and I am thinking of getting involved,” she said.

“I support Habitat and they have never been to the Melting Pot before,” said Angie Segal of Silver Spring, who dined with her son and business associate.

“It has been a longtime family tradition of ours to support causes that we consider reasonable,” said Tammy Tayman, who dined with her family. 

Washington Talent, Photo and Video’s DJ Johnny Hernandez was dining with his wife and supporting Habitat.

“I deejay for Habitat at all of their new facility openings," Hernandez said. “If I can help touch people’s lives in even a small way and see smiles on their face, then I know I made a difference.”

Lori Piazinski of Gaithersburg said the evening “worked out well for us, we saw the Habitat event on yelp.com and we have been wanting to come for awhile (to the Melting Pot) and we could not miss the deal and the opportunity to give back to the community.”

The evening’s proceeds will support Habitat’s programs: new construction or rehabilitation of vacant, distressed homes in the County, according to Chagouris.

“What we do is provide affordable, decent housing for low-income families,” said John Paukstis, Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery County Executive Director.

“This is a great family restaurant,” he added as he dined with his family.

Paukstis said Habitat finds vacant foreclosures, then guts, rebuilds and makes them energy efficient homes. When the home is completed, Habitat will sell the home to qualified candidates at a 30-year, zero interest mortgage.

“It costs roughly $200,000 to buy and restore a home (in Montgomery County),” Paukstis said regarding how the money raised at the Melting Pot Community Night would be used. He added that Habitat relies on “grants, high sponsorships’ and fundraisers to complete County housing projects.”

In two years, Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery County has completed 16 homes and is currently working on two area homes. Paukstis said that it can take three-to-six months to restore a home.

Chagouris said that Habitat plans to hold either quarterly or twice annually community nights at the Melting Pot. “The manager told me she was really happy and looking forward to partnering again,” he said.

Ways To Get Involved with Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery County, MD, Inc:

• Volunteer on the construction site, in the ReStore or the office
• Bring your company out for a Team Build
• Help fund affordable housing by making a donation
• Shop and donate at ReStore
• Advocate for Habitat by calling or writing to your congressmen or senator
• Join a committee
• Attend or sponsor an event

Questions?

Email: info@habitat-mc.org

Visit them on the web at: www.habitat-mc.org