This past weekend Applebee’s in Moreno Valley and the Valley View High School Crimson Regiment partnered up to provide a special holiday breakfast and help raise money for the band. The location, which usually opens around 11 am and is known for their dinners and lunches, opened their doors on Sunday at 8 am for the high school band and its guests. Students set up a buffet style table and readied plates and silverware as the guests began arriving.
The Crimson Regiment had worked for weeks selling tickets to their family and friends. $10 tickets that allowed a breakfast dining experience like no other. Patrons were greeted at the door by the band hostesses and given instructions on where to sit and get their food. After being seated guests were able to grab a plate and go across the food line as the band students served them up a hot breakfast of fluffy scrambled eggs, steaming sausages, the softest potatoes, and the yummiest pancakes topped with butter and syrup.
Jacki Kump, who assisted in the coordination of the event was proud of each student that participated. Kump stated, "This is the third year we've done this fundraiser and it's always a success the kids enjoy it because they get to Work all the positions of the restaurant. It's a good lesson for them to see what it's like to work in a restaurant. It's a good time for all if you get a chance, look for us next year and come join us we usually do it the first week of December."
Guests were able to enjoy their breakfast while being tended to by the various student servers that were making their way around the restaurant. Offering them refills on their coffees and orange juices and overall making sure each guest was fully taken care of. It was a level of customer service that far exceeded the expectations of a high school student.
Along with breakfast the band sold raffle tickets and raffled off various prizes to be won. Among the prizes were a poker set and many sweet treats.
One of the best parts of the morning was when the Valley View High School Jazz Band began playing music while the diners feasted on their breakfast. The band played holiday music such as, Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer, The Christmas Song, Baby Its Cold Outside, Blue Bones, and Christmas Time is Here.
Their music and their customer service created such a joyous atmosphere that smiles could be seen all around the restaurant. The Crimson Regiment is continuing their effort to raise funds to support the band and colorguard programs. All money raised will go towards repairing and purchasing of new equipment, cleaning and buying costumes, entrance fees to competitions, transportation and more. You can catch them in their endeavors next weekend if you’re out doing your holiday shopping. They are offering gift wrapping at Kohl’s from 11 am-3 pm on December 15 and 16. The jazz band will even do a special performance for guests at 1 pm. So go join in the fun and let those Crimson Elves wrap your gifts, so you don’t have to!