Proceeds from total food sales at Italian Garden restaurant on Friday will be donated to the Emporia Police and Fire Departments, according to an announcement from co-owner Gzim Velesi.
The donation is Velesi's way of recognizing the contributions of emergency workers in New York during the terrorist attack on Sept. 11, 2001, and across the country throughout the year.
"It's a way to honor those people," Flori said. "We always thought every year to do this."
The same policy will be in effect on Friday at Flori's other Italian Garden restaurants, including two in San Antonio, one in Warrensburg, Mo., Emporia, and a new location in Ottawa, he said.
Velesi said the money could be used as needed by each department. He'd already heard that equipment updates are needed.
"It's very nice if I can help, and my goal is to reach about $4,000 tomorrow and split it equally to police department and fire department," he said.
"We never can forget what happened that day, and it's a nice way to do it."
More information may be had by calling Italian Garden at 342-2100 or going online to www.bestitaliangarden.com.