O'Shea's pubs giving 100% to Red Cross for Haiti on Monday

[Robin Garr]

From 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 18 through closing time at 4 a.m. Tuesday, the three Irish pubs of the O’Shea’s family - O’Shea’s, Brendan’s, and Flanagan’s - will donate 100 percent of their proceeds to the American Red Cross to support our efforts to help the people of Haiti. Every dollar, every cent.

If you think this is as outstanding a gesture as I do, please support them by (1) spreading the word and (2) being there Monday.

Wow. Amazing, and great....

Thumbs up to them!!! YES, everyone, please go and pack their places!

I've always been curious when O'Shea's does fund raisers. Is it total revenues (sales) or total profit that they donate? Either way it's great but obviously two very different numbers.

[Robin Garr]

I've always been curious when O'Shea's does fund raisers. Is it total revenues (sales) or total profit that they donate? Either way it's great but obviously two very different numbers.

Brian, I can't speak to their corporate policy for *every* fund-raiser, but the language of this announcement seems clear: "will donate 100 percent of their proceeds to the American Red Cross to support our efforts to help the people of Haiti. Every dollar, every cent"

What is says is clear, however what it means is not. Proceeds can mean different things when not specified. If they said 100% of sales, 100% of revenue or 100% of profit then that's much clearer to me.

I would expect that it's profit, meaning they are working for free for the whole day but cover pay their food costs before the donation. If it's total sales they are working for free and paying for the food which is a much greater contribution.

Either way it's a great gesture but I'm still curious.

Here's the text of the press release:

For Immediate Release

To: News Editors, Assignment Desks, and Producers

From: Ginny Pittenger, Community Outreach Coordinator
502-813-3226, ginny@louisvilleirishpubs.com


Monday Fund Day to benefit the victims of the recent Earthquake in Haiti

Louisville, KY (January 18, 2010) - In the wake of the tragic earthquake on the island nation of Haiti the O’Shea’s Family of Pubs will be holding a Monday Fund Day with 100% of the proceeds donated to the American Red Cross to support their efforts to help the people of Haiti.

What is a Monday Fund Day?
We donate 100% of the proceeds from a single day’s sales to a specific group or organization. The location of the event is based on the O’Shea’s Family of Pubs establishment in the neighborhood or community of the asking group or organization. As this cause is on an international level we have decided to include all of our locations in this event in order to spread its impact throughout the entire community.


Participating Locations:

O’Shea’s Traditional Irish Pub
956 Baxter Avenue
Louisville, Kentucky 40204
502-589-7373

Flanagan’s Ale House
934 Baxter Avenue
Louisville, Kentucky 40204
502-585-3700

Brendan’s Restaurant and Pub
3921 Shelbyville Road
Louisville, Kentucky 40207
502-895-1212

Hours of Operation:

11:00 a.m. to 4:00 a.m.

We went for lunch today. We went late to avoid any rush, and were seated promptly but were rather dismayed with the entire experience. 9 of us went to support the cause. The restaurant was not overly busy, but it took forever to get our food, and when it got there, it was cold ... to the point that bowls of chili were sent back to be re-heated. My burger was excellent (as usual), but my fries were luke warm at best. It took over an hour and a half for us to get in and out!

To give them credit, the management made it right. They offered to remake our food, but we had already been there 30+ minutes. Then, they offered to discount our meal, but none of us felt right doing that on the day of the fundraiser, so they gave us a gift certificate instead.

We'll go back and we will continue to patronize them on days when they are doing something good to help others, but only if we have the afternoon clear.

I hope thay others have a better experience today.

-Pete

I was surprised that the coworkers actually told me about how we should go up to Flanagan's or O'Shea's, since they are usually loathe to try different places. Pulled a menu for Flanagan's off their site and we called in an order.

They were quite happy with the food, and I kept giving them grief because I've been telling them about this, and other places, that we should go and try for lunch for quite a while now.