Pictured from left to right are Honest John’s owner John Raymond, Salvation Army Major Kim Merchant, and new Honest John’s partner and owner, Austin Alonge, presenting the check to the Salvation Army from the Honest John’s buffet. Submitted photo

Honest John’s Pizzeria helped out the local Salvation Army in a big way this year as the organization saw less money incoming with the Red Kettle campaign, raising $1,147 through their recent buffet.

Even with the quick notice when they decided to do it, Honest John’s owner John Raymond said it still went pretty well. Held the Sunday before Christmas, Raymond said they were able to raise the $1,147 in just a few hours.

“It went over OK,” Raymond said. “For next year I’ve already talked with Major Kim Merchant at the Salvation Army and let her know we would do it earlier next year, like late November, and work it around the Buffalo Bills games.”

The Buffalo Bills games are when Raymond said they get busy with take out and delivery, so the games and the weather would be something they work around with planning for next year, as the goal is to make a special buffet to raise money for the Salvation Army an annual event. Raymond said they also received a card in the mail with a note from a former Falconer library director who also donated $50 to the cause, and there were some employees who donated their time rather than getting paid that day.

When presenting the check to the Salvation Army, Raymond said he brought along his new partner, Austin Alonge, and was able to show him what all the Salvation Army does.

“We presented the check and he was able to see what the Salvation Army does,” Raymond said. “They do a vast amount of stuff and help a lot of people. I was overall very happy with the buffet.”

All of the money raised at the buffet was donated to the Salvation Army’s struggling Red Kettle campaign, and all money stays locally. While everything is now wrapped up for this year, Raymond said ideas for next year are already in the works, such as figuring out how to plan it earlier and get the word out quicker, and overall seeing what might work. A card with the signatures of everyone who came and ate that day and helped out with the funds was also presented to the Salvation Army, and Raymond said he was glad to be able to have helped out this year.

“I felt satisfied a little more this year,” Raymond said. “I was able to help like I always think I want to and never quite get to. I think people put things off, and we didn’t do that this year. There are a lot of people who need help and the people who came to eat that day can say they were able to help too.”