The Tribune

By CELESTE NIXON

Tribune Staff Reporter

cnixon@tribunemedia.net

FOR the second year, Papa John's Pizza has partnered with the Salvation Army to give back to the Bahamian community.

In addition to donating 223 children's bicycles, over 200 Papa John’s employees and their families travelled to the Bahamas to make upgrades and improvements to the Bilney Lane Children's Home and the School for the Blind.

Founder of Papa John’s Pizza, John Schnatter said it is important to give back and make a lasting difference for those less fortunate.

“The Humanitarian day,” he said, “is just a lot of fun, it is more fun to give than to receive and to get everybody together and do something nice for folks that are maybe not as blessed as we are – it touches my heart.”

Mr Schnatter added he was glad that the work the group completed last year has been well maintained and had a positive impact in the community.

“What amazed me is a lot of the work we did last year still looks good,” said Mr Schnatter. “It is always good to make a difference, but it is really good when you make a difference that will last and that is what we are seeing, its kind of compounding and keeps getting better and better and hopefully when we leave this year, it will be an even better place.”

According to Clark Spader, the Papa John team has planned to take on various projects around the Salvation Army property while in New Providence, including holding a bbq block party yesterday where each child attending received a new bicycle, landscaping the area, constructing new swing sets, and painting and carrying out other maintenance of the Bilney Lane Children's Home.

They also will be installing a sensory environment and playground at the Erin H Gilmour School for the Blind and Visually Impaired Children.

“This gives us an opportunity to give back to a group that could need a little extra help,” said Mr Spader.