Zinburger Donates $6.2K to Huntington Foundation

The Huntington Foundation for Excellence in Education never tires of encouraging grant applications to fund innovative classroom initiatives in the Huntington School District. The organization’s efforts received a boost when the new Zinburger Wine & Burger Bar at the Walt Whitman Shops on Rte. 110 donated $6,200 from its successful opening week run.

Big crowds turned out for Zinburger’s opening. The company pledged 15 percent of its proceeds from the first four days of operations to the Huntington Foundation, a two-decade old not-for-profit committed to enhancing the public education program. Since its founding in 1993, the organization has funded more than $800,000 worth of grants.

Several Huntington Foundation officials were on hand last week at Zinburger for the formal check presentation by the restaurant’s general manager Patti Bishop. With regular budget dollars tight, the organization’s two grant programs are more important than ever, according to district executives.

“HFEE has been a tremendous supporter of education in Huntington for years, as they have helped to fund projects and initiatives benefiting students K-12,” Superintendent James W. Polansky said. “They continue to pursue creative fundraising opportunities that lend further to this support. We are so thankful to HFEE members and to Zinburger for the recent and very generous donation.”

The Huntington Foundation’s annual Reach for the Stars fundraising gala is set for Friday, February 7, 2014 at the Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury. The evening will celebrate public education and benefit innovative classroom initiatives, the arts and athletics.

Patricia Dillon, a longtime district librarian and class advisor, who is currently the Huntington High School librarian, will be presented with the 2014 Spirit Award for her years of dedicated service to the community. The evening will feature cocktails, music, dancing, dinner, raffles, silent and live auctions and much more. Tickets are on sale now for $95 per person.

The Huntington Foundation is led by President Maria Cassar and executive board members Janice Kimchy (vice-president, marketing), Sheri Lewis-Taylor (vice-president, grants administration), Karann Pashkin (treasurer), Nancy Shivers (recording secretary), Laurene Napurano (webmaster and gala chairperson). Liaisons assigned to individual school buildings in the district are also hard at work.

The Huntington restaurant is Zinburger’s first establishment in New York. The restaurant’s décor has been described as sleek, contemporary, upbeat and playful featuring rich wood and earth tones and stylish, comfortable seating. The 5,141-square foot establishment features nine high definition televisions located throughout the restaurant with a seating capacity of 193, including an outdoor patio.

In addition to gourmet burgers, Zinburger offers a turkey burger, turkey Sloppy Joe, ahi burger, veggie burger, two chicken sandwiches and five hearty salads. Side selections include generous portions of hand-cut fries, sweet potato fries, zucchini fries, onion rings, coleslaw, cottage cheese and double truffle fries. A dessert menu features old fashioned, hand-dipped shakes, floats and malts as well as banana cream and chocolate cream pies.