Dodie’s donates over $5,000 to YMCA’s Angel Camp for kids with special needs

(ROCKWALL, TX – June 27, 2016) Staff and families of the J.E.R. Chilton YMCA at Rockwall gathered at Dodie’s Cajun Diner at The Harbor Friday, where the restaurant’s co-owners, Mike McRae and Gabe Nicolella, along with General Manger Dan Keils, presented a $5,400 check to the Y’s Angel Camp program.

Each year, Dodie’s donates proceeds from its Annual Crawfish Festival to Angel Camp, which provides day camp experiences like sailing, swimming, archery, riflery, horseback riding, and field trips to youth ages 5 to 18 with special needs. This year’s Crawfish Fest, held in April, drew a sell-out crowd of 300 people and dished out more than 2,300 pounds of mudbugs. In addition to all-you-can-eat crawfish, Dodie’s served up corn, potatoes, jambalaya, red beans and rice – accompanied by the live music of Kenny and the Kasuals. Raffle drawings helped raised additional funds.

“It’s mudbugs and music for a really good cause,” said McRae, who introduced the Crawfish Fest in 2013 as a way to celebrate crawfish season while supporting the local community. The Crawfish Fest has benefited Angel Camp for the past three years.

“The Crawfish Fest is one of our favorite ways to give back. We had a full house again this year, and no one went away hungry. Best of all, we raised almost $1,000 more for Angel Camp than we did last year,” Keils added.

During the check presentation ceremony on Friday, guests were also treated to Cajun cuisine, compliments of Dodie’s.

“We are grateful to Dodie’s and the community for supporting our kids. The Angel Camp program creates an environment that allows young folks to explore and enjoy new experiences with the support that their special needs require,” said Bonnie LaVielle, Executive Director of the Rockwall Y.

Angel Camp runs for six one-week sessions throughout the summer, and is underway now. To learn more, contact LaVielle or Angel Camp Director Melissa Cotner at 972-772-9622.

By Dawn Redig, Blue Ribbon News.

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