THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, December 14, 1994 TAG: 9412130113
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Sam Martinette
LENGTH: Medium: 68 lines
If you are a procrastinator by now you're starting to wonder when you'll get a chance to do some quick holiday shopping.
Even if you can find a parking space at any of the area shopping emporiums, the merchandise may have been pretty well picked over by this time. After all, the serious shoppers started the day after Thanksgiving.
You might want to consider as a gift the Entertainment '95 book, which is being sold by a number of religious and fraternal organizations, as well as retail shops, to benefit area non-profit organizations. There are hundreds of restaurants, fast-food eateries and other entertainment-related businesses represented in the book, which covers all of Hampton Roads, including Williamsburg, and includes some businesses in the Outer Banks, Richmond and the D.C. area.
The book costs $35 if you buy it from a business or group that is selling it to benefit a worthy cause, $40 if you buy it from a retail shop that handles it as straight merchandise. In it you'll find discount coupons for everything from a free trip to the salad bar (with the purchase of a second salad bar) at Pizza Hut, to a complimentary dinner cruise (Sunday through Thursday) on the Spirit of Norfolk (with the purchase of a second cruise).
In its 34th year, the book is published in 120 cities in the United States, and in Canada, Europe and Israel, according to Cathy Beale, district manager of Entertainment Publications Inc. in Virginia Beach.
``This year we expect to return close to $30 million nationally to non-profit organizations, and $330,000 locally,'' Beale said.
This is how it works: If you buy the book from the Mitchell's Formal Wear at Lynnhaven Mall, part of the proceeds benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Association. Beach Cobbler on Shore Drive is selling the books to benefit Star of the Sea. The proceeds from sales through the Tidewater Afghan Hound Club help with Afghan rescue and club activities.
You can find the book in the gift shop at the Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters, and through many other places and clubs in the area. ``A minimum of 20 percent of the sales price is returned to the organization,'' Beale explained, ``plus they have complimentary books, some of which they sell and get bonuses based on sales.''
That means at least $7 from every book sold is forwarded to the non-profit organization earmarked to receive it, if the book is not a straight retail sale.
``Our company does fine, there's no question about that, but it's also rewarding to see so many worthy organizations benefit,'' Beale said.
Those who use the book will benefit also if they plan to try one of the many dozens of eateries represented in the book. The book contains a card that you present at a fine dining establishment, much like a credit card, rather than a coupon. There are travel discounts (for items like hotel rooms and airline tickets), discounts on movie and theater tickets and other goodies as well.
Some other spots that are carrying the book to benefit a local non-profit organization: Rumley's Coffee Shop and area Kmart and Rite Aid Pharmacy stores benefit Children's Hospital.
The books also are being sold by the Virginia Beach SPCA, Life-Saving Museum of Virginia, the Association for Research and Enlightenment, Oceana Naval Air Station, Lynnhaven Kiwanis, Kempsville Elementary, Cox High School and Regent University Players, among others. MEMO: For information on the book or to get your organization involved, call
473-8668.
by CNB