ROCHELLE — The Christmas spirit was in abundance at the Rack Bar and Grill for their first-ever “Rack ‘Em and Stack ‘Em for Christmas” fundraiser benefitting the Rochelle Community Action Network.

The holiday donation drive raised over $1,200 for CAN, which provides resources to assist children and their families. The idea for the fundraiser came from Shawna White, general manager for the Rack Bar and Grill. White suffered from a brain tumor in 2007, subsequently creating a financial hardship.
“My kids wouldn’t have had a Christmas, and because of CAN they did,” White said. “We want to help others to get that same opportunity.”
After brainstorming ideas, White along with Rack Bar and Grill owner Al Giannini decided to offer customers the opportunity to donate a minimum of $1 in exchange for a picture of a mounted deer head, which is also the business’ logo. Giannini pledged to match the donations with his own money.

Giannini also offered his staff a prize for the most collected donations. White collected over $290 in donations, winning the manicure and pedicure.

White said some customers donated more than once and upwards of $45 in some cases. Donations of food and canned goods were also accepted and will be given to the Rochelle Christian Food Pantry.
The establishment opened in August, and started serving food about two weeks ago.
“We are happy to help out, help the less fortunate,” Giannini said. “This is the first time we have done this. We had a goal of $500 and next year we will try and double it.”
CAN Board President Michelle Pease gratefully received the donation on behalf of the organization, which will be used for the backpack program or the annual children’s shopping trip.
At the start of the school year, CAN provided 200 backpacks filled with supplies for the Rochelle Elementary school students in kindergarten through eighth grade. Earlier this month, CAN held its annual children’s shopping trip giving 225 Rochelle children a brighter Christmas.