Local residents have the opportunity to dunk Red Bank Mayor John Roberts, left, thanks to Red Bank Pizza Hut store manager Jason Summers, right, who is attempting to break last year's fundraising record among Pizza Huts nationwide for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.Dayton Boulevard Pizza Hut manager Jason Summers is trying to beat the store's record of $2,533 raised for the Muscular Dystrophy Association last year. Pizza Hut restaurants across the nation compete to raise money for MDA each year, and the Dayton Boulevard store came in second place in 2012 behind a store in Queens, N.Y.
"It helps families in the local area with kids affected by muscular dystrophy," said Summers, who hopes to raise $3,000-$3,200 this year. "Why would you not want to help someone in your community? I think everyone should go back to helping others more than yourself; it comes back to you."
His store is giving local residents the opportunity to dunk Red Bank Mayor John Roberts Saturday, March 16 from noon to 4 p.m. The cost is $2 a throw or three throws for $5.
"We were just trying to think of different ways to raise money," said Summers, who raffled off sports memorabilia donated by local trainer David Wyke to raise last year's funds.
This year's event will also feature visits from Star Wars characters, roller derby girls and a truck from the Red Bank Fire Department, he said. A special $6 deal for a large one-topping carryout pizza will also be available that day from noon to 4 p.m.
To raise additional funds, the store is selling raffle tickets now through April 1 for $1 apiece. The purchaser can enter their tickets for a specific prize, with choices including tickets to area attractions as well as a New Jersey Nets basketball, a bear crocheted by Summers, artwork by a Pizza Hut driver and a spider plant from America's Gardens in Red Bank.
Among the attractions that donated tickets for the raffle are The Chattanooga Nature Center and Arboretum, Creative Discovery Museum, Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, Ruby Falls, Tennessee Aquarium, Chattanooga Ducks, Chattanooga Zoo, Southern Bell and Lost Sea, he said.
The raffle drawing will take place April 3-4, said Summers. Winners will be notified.