Pat’s joins Shamrock campaign
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — Customers entering Pat’s Pizza will find the door adorned with bright green and yellow shamrocks, representing an annual fund-raising campaign benefiting the Muscular Dystrophy Association. The eatery, like other area businesses, is in the midst of collecting proceeds to help find a cure and provide treatment for individuals with the disease.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
RAISING AWARENESS — Pat’s Pizza in Presque Isle is talking part in the Shamrock Campaign, selling paper replicas of the foliage to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Pictured in front is Adam MacDonald, a Presque Isle resident who has Duchenne’s Muscular Dystrophy. In back are Pat’s Pizza Managers James Estey and Jasmine MacIntosh. 
St. Patrick’s Day is around the corner and along with it comes the annual MDA’s Shamrocks Against Dystrophy campaign. The program, in its 30th year, is in full force now throughout the U.S., with a number of local businesses, including Pat’s, taking part. The campaign runs through March 17 — in some locations, until the end of the month.
“For many of us, the shamrock is a symbol of luck, but to our families, MDA shamrocks represent so much more,” said MDA Interim President and Medical Director Valerie Cwik, M.D. “When someone purchases an MDA shamrock, the families served by our program in that area directly benefit through services, including MDA camps and clinic visits.”
At Pat’s, the fundraiser has taken on a personal note, since the owners, Hope and James Estey, and their children, James Estey Jr. and Jasmine MacIntosh, have a friend who has a form of muscular dystrophy. Adam MacDonald, a classmate of MacIntosh’s, has Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
“Jasmine has known Adam her whole life. They went to school together. Adam and his family have been customers of Pat’s for years. I think the world of Cheryl (Markey, Adam’s mother) and her continued efforts to fundraise for Duchenne; we’re proud to help in any way possible,” said Hope Estey.
Estey said not only does the restaurant support the cause, her daughter has also taken part in fundraisers with MacDonald.
“Jasmine has joined their team for the annual walk. I’m going to try and make it this year as well. I donate every year to the walk and am looking forward to participating this year,” said Estey.
She said this has become an annual event for her business.
“I honestly don’t remember how many years we have been doing the shamrock sales — probably eight or nine, maybe more. It is a great way to bring attention to MD and the importance of helping to find a cure,” she said.
“We have a great customer response as well as employee response. We all help as much as we can,” said Estey.
MacIntosh, who helps manage the eatery, said sales of the paper shamrocks allow customers to donate to the cause at a minimal cost, starting at $1. In exchange, customers can write a message, sign their own names or that of a loved one on the shamrock, which is then displayed at the business.
“Sales of the shamrocks is going very well. This year we’ve sold so many, we’ve run out of room on the door and are having to post them elsewhere,” said MacIntosh.
Estey said though the cost is minimal, the dollars add up for a worthy cause.
“Every little bit helps,” said Estey.
