Over the last few years, as my popularity has increased a small amount, I’ve had restaurants that employ public relations firms reach out to me. The challenge is that, typically, these PR firms don’t get it. They aren’t food people. They’re industry people. They don’t understand how kitchens or restaurants or service work. There were just one too many times I worked with a restaurant through a PR firm and something went wrong.
So, I developed the rule that if a PR firm ever reached out to me, I would decline and tell them to have someone from the restaurant or group reach out to me directly. I’d be happy to work with them.
About a year and a half ago, I got an email or a direct message or some sort of communication from a PR firm representing Clear Path for Veterans. I believe the first message was something about enjoying my content and wanting to know my rate for making a video for Clear Path for Veterans to help promote an event or fundraiser they had coming up.
Now, that’s pretty much standard protocol for a PR firm. One of the things I do appreciate about PR firms is that they sort of understand how it works, and they start off by offering to compensate influencers instead of just asking for something for free. But I immediately jumped into defense mode and said I’d be happy to do something for Clear Path for Veterans, but I wouldn’t do it through them. And I’m sure that, as I can be, I was probably abrasive and a bit of a jackass about it.
Now, there’s also something you should know. When you’re a business owner, especially a popular one — not that I’m saying I’m a popular business owner — the more people see you, the more people begin to ask you for things. As my follower count grows, so does the number of people asking for help, gift card donations, or appearances at their events. It honestly is a lot, and it’s hard to navigate who gets my time.
A business owner told me years ago that he chooses one type of charity to donate to. In other words, let’s say his charity of choice is breast cancer. If anyone reaches out asking for donations and it doesn’t have anything to do with breast cancer, he doesn’t make a donation or contribution. I thought about that advice for a couple of years, but I could never pinpoint exactly which organization or area I wanted to focus my donations of money and time on. But when Clear Path for Veterans reached out, it hit me.
I’ve always had a strong admiration for the men and women who have served in our country’s military. I spent a few years living in Killeen, Texas, working at a church whose congregation was mostly active-duty Army. For three years, I saw the dedication and sacrifice these people in the Armed Forces made — not just for the military, but also for the congregation and for the people of this country.
I’ve had family members who served in the Armed Forces, and my grandfather served in the Army during the Korean War. So I’ve always had a strong admiration for these men and women, and when Clear Path for Veterans reached out, it was a no-brainer. Clear Path for Veterans became our official charity of choice. Anything they need from Eat Local New York, they get — whether it’s money, my time, my attention, or my following. If they have something going on and need to get the word out, all they have to do is ask, and I’ll show up and gladly help by making a video to promote it.
That’s why I’m thrilled to say that Clear Path is once again holding its Thanksgiving pie fundraiser this year. They’re making pies for you to purchase and enjoy this Thanksgiving season: apple crumb, mixed berry crumb, chocolate cream, and traditional pumpkin. They’ll even have allergen-friendly pies available, thanks to the crew at Aurora’s Café and Gifts in North Syracuse — and even pies that are friendly for your dogs.
But these pies have a larger purpose than simply raising money for Clear Path for Veterans. Every pie you order will help them feed more veterans of the Armed Forces who are in need and hungry this Thanksgiving.
I would love it if you’d join me this Thanksgiving in helping raise money so Clear Path for Veterans can accomplish its mission. Head over to ClearPathforVeterans.org to order your Thanksgiving pies today.
