By Angela E. Pometto
Herald Staff Writer
(From the issue of 2/10/05)

Teacher Appreciation Day at Seton School in Manassas brought nearly 30 teachers to the gym for a catered lunch of rotisserie chicken, mashed potatoes and vegetables, all courtesy of Chicken Out restaurants and the Arlington Catholic HERALD.

As part of Catholic Schools Week, the day was meant to honor and thank teachers. At Seton School, it was the perfect opportunity to use the $450 gift certificate the school won in a random drawing the HERALD conducted at last year’s Education Institute.

The teachers sat at tables, decorated and set by the students, listened to soft music and took a break during their busy day.

"It’s a nice celebration," said Julie Abernethy, junior high teacher, adding that it was also the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord.

Chicken Out’s Lisa Oltmanns said things "went wonderfully at the school."

The restaurant chain offers discounts to non-profit groups, by giving 10 percent discounts for catering, and they work with the "Do Good" foundation, offering those members a 15 percent discount. The foundation also allows members to donate 30 percent of the proceeds of a $10 or $20 cash card. Once the card is used up, it can be replenished with another 30 percent going to charity.

HERALD Editor Michael F. Flach said it was a "win-win situation."

"It’s a way of reaching out to the schools, to help them, as well as the HERALD and Chicken Out," he said.

The HERALD also raffled off two baskets of books to teachers at the Education Institute. One went to Sacred Heart School in Winchester and the other to St. Leo School in Fairfax.

For more information about Chicken Out go to www.chickenout.com.