Recognition for community philanthropy comes from the 

GILFORD—Patrick’s Pub & Eatery has been named a Good Neighbor for 2020 for its community philanthropy and support by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) and American Express. 

In granting the recognition, NRAEF cited fundraisers Patrick’s holds on behalf of community groups, and the Pub Mania event founded over a decade ago to support the Greater Lakes Region Children’s Auction. 

This marks the fourth time Patrick’s owners Allan and Jennifer Beetle, and Jeffrey and Wendy Beetle, have received the award; Patrick’s was also honored in 2008, 2013, and 2018.

“We’re proud. Staff is excited about it,” said Patrick’s General Manager Megan Page, after a plaque was presented April 22 at the restaurant by Samantha McDonald, membership and WC Trust director of the New Hampshire Lodging & Restaurant Association (NHLRA). “It’s the best award to receive. It’s great to have an award-winning burger or chowder, but being recognized for being a good neighbor means a lot. We’re being good people.” 

NRAEF said nine out of 10 restaurants are actively involved in community service, yet the organization’s leaders were impressed with Patrick’s creation of Pub Mania, and its pivot to the pandemic-proof It’s for the Kids Community Challenge, which Patrick’s owners launched last year when it was not possible to host Pub Mania live because of COVID-19.

Going forward, the challenge will replace the pub event as the fundraising can be done virtually and can include more teams and participants; in its first year in 2020, the challenge raised $249,460 for the auction, bringing the 11-year total raised to roughly $2.6 million.

McDonald said, “Patrick’s has always been a community-oriented organization. Even in the midst of the pandemic, they have found innovative ways to continue their support of the auction. The NHLRA is very proud to be able to present them with this award, and to have them as part of our community.” 

Page, Patrick’s general manager, said the restaurant owners model community philanthropy for staff in many ways. “We’re constantly working to inspire staff to be part of our fundraising efforts,” she said.

In 2020, for instance, Patrick’s dedicated 50 percent of its proceeds on St. Patrick’s Day to a nonprofit called Got Lunch, which provides free lunches to children in need in the region. The restaurant also provides annual support to many community youth sports teams and hosts occasional fundraisers for individuals or families in crisis.

Many staff were also involved in Pub Mania and remain involved with the Community Challenge as well as the Shuffle—a weekly fundraising walk that raises money toward the annual challenge total. 

“We’re always talking about community fundraising here,” Page said, adding, “I encourage it, but it really comes from the top—Allan and Jennifer and Jeff and Wendy.”

Patrick’s owners also model giving with the staff, assisting them with resources, troubleshooting, and financial assistance when emergencies and life’s disruptions come along.  

“We encourage a family culture here,” Page said. “This is not just a job. It’s a family.”

For more information on Patrick’s Pub, call 293-0841 or visit www.patrickspub.com.

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