Rain Fails to Dampen Spirits at Hope for the Holidays Fundraiser

The tables at Fat Ricky's were piled high with the kind of food one doesn't typically see on a restaurant menu.

Cans of corn, green beans, tuna and soup. Boxes of noodles and macaroni and cheese. Jars of peanut butter and packets of hot chocolate. There was even a box of ice cream cones and a jar of orange juice.

Area residents donated hundreds and hundreds of nonperishable food items at "Hope for the Holidays," held Saturday in the Spartans' Square parking lot. The event was organized by Rick DiPego, owner of Fat Ricky's.

The goal was to provide a holiday meal to those less fortunate and to help folks out during tough economic times, DiPego said. The idea stemmed from an effort sponsored by the Village of Romeoville and Good Shepherd Church to collects clothes and toys for families in need.

"We are truly blessed in our lives and feel like we should give back," DiPego said. "Based on the amount of exposure our company has, we have the ability to reach a lot of people. We believe there are a lot of people who want to help, but just don't know how they can, so we use the business as a vehicle to get the word out."

The event, held under a heated tent, featured arts and crafts for kids, Christmas caroling compliments of Good Shepherd Church volunteers, photos with Santa, hot chocolate and cider provided by the Romeoville Rotary Club and a visit from Santa's elves and a couple of reindeer.

Julie Pacheto smiled as her daughter Aria sat on Santa's lap.

"I go to Fat Ricky's all the time," she said. "We love all the things that go on in Romeoville."

Keisha Richmond also turned out for the event.

"I work at Fat Ricky's," she said. "I think this is nice. It's all for a good cause."

Even the people who were working at the fundraiser were all smiles. Jacob DiPego, 13, and Riley Keenan, 12, who may have been the youngest workers there, were fulfilling community service requirements for their school honor society. Like most of the folks in attendance, they didn't seem to mind the rain.

"I feel like we're bringing in more food and monetary donations than last year," said Rick DiPego. "That is promising in light of the weather. I don't think the rain dampens people's spirits. We're on our way to feeding a couple hundred families."