Porters Pub raises money for Toys for Tots

Co-owner Mandy Rush, General manager Stephanie Rempe, and “Do all” MVP Andrea Call-Weeks were part of the crew that hosted Porters Pub’s “Toys for Tots” donation drive and raffle over the weekend.  The evening featured donations from many local businesses which were raffled off to a crowded room full of participants, all while enjoying the house special “Porketta” sandwich, a specialty of owner Bill Parris.  “It’s one thing to have it on the menu all the time,” he said, “but every now and then—that’s special!”  Was it delicious?  It can be reported that it indeed was, and should be eaten for every meal every day.

The Porketta sales were donated directly to the Toys for Tots organization, which raises funds to provide toys at Christmas for those who need them.  Regional coordinator for Southeast Idaho Toys for Tots Stephanie Bercier and her husband Simon operate out of Pocatello, but cover seven surrounding counties in their jurisdiction.  The counties included in their Toys for Tots region are Bannock, Bingham, Bear Lake, Caribou, Franklin, Oneida, and Power.  Together with volunteer Jen Warner, they managed the raffle events for the evening.  “It’s been great so far,” Stephanie said.  “We’ve already exceeded what we raised last year at this event.”  

“This is my first year taking the program over,” Bercier said.  “We’ve doubled our numbers for families this year, and almost doubled the number for children assisted.  We’re over 800 families and 7,000 kids [in the 7 county area.]”. As the overall organization, Toys for Tots assists as much or as little as the local fundraising group requests. “Areas can handle their own events, or if they want us to come down and be present, we’re more than happy to,” Bercier explained.

There was a moment when it was unclear whether this year’s event would be possible.  As a result of some reshuffling that occurred at the local level, sponsors needed to be found quickly.  Among the many donors who stepped up were Porters Pub itself, Bill Mullin and Miner Tompson, Lallatins, Broulims, Vortex, Arctic Circle, Jeneatte Westbrook, Caribou Ford, Destiny and Tshasha Harding, Dave’s Tackle, Denny Lee’s Tire, Liberty Jeep, Lazy J.W., Bisco, 78 Main in Lava Hot Springs, The Royal in LHS, Twisted Metal Jewelry, Soda Springs Floral, the Flower Box, Shimmick, Tillys Barbershop, Babe and Haily Miers, Alaula Tan and Nails, Nails by Penny,  Simon Bercier, American Built Clothing, Stockmans, Liberty Dodge, Ace, Soda Sip, and others.

“It’s been a thing in Soda for years and years,” Andrea Call-Weeks said.  “There are a lot of underprivileged kids that need help.”

“It’s a great charity,” Stephanie Rempe added.  “This year, the lady who usually does it was not able to.  Some people from Pocatello had taken over, and they were struggling to try and be over here and do it.  It got down to the wire and the community pulled together and made it happen.  We have some absolutely amazing business owners in Soda and Lava.  They really came through.”

“People have been so generous,” Call-Weeks said.  Local businesses were contacted for donations to the raffle, which in turn led to ticket sales to raise money for the organization. By midway through the evening fundraising was reported to be doing very well.”  It is no surprise, as the raffle ticket sales stayed steady during the early evening as people made their way in to Porters.  The snow started to fall outside at around 6:00 p.m. when the raffle started, and the cozy interior seemed to get even cozier and warmer as the snow piled up outside.

Raffle tickets were sold at the $1 and $5 level.  While a total from the evening was not available as of press time, the event was on track to raise more money than it had in previous years, and it was certainly a success.  Thanks goes to everyone in a generous community who donated to a worthy cause.  Porters is open throughout the week except Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday, and 11 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. the rest of the week.  While the porketta sandwich is not a regular menu item, they are all delicious as well.  Or at least that’s the rumor—it might have to be fully investigated…