Memorial weekend burger sales benefit local charities, programs
By Correne Martin
Pete’s Hamburger Stand in Prairie du Chien recently distributed donations in the amount of $500 apiece to the Couleecap Food Pantry and the Prairie du Chien Parks and Recreation Department’s special needs programming at Washington Street Park. The money came from proceeds made during its Memorial Day weekend sales. They also contributed $500 to several other local charities.
The Gokey family started its annual fundraiser in 1975, on Labor Day, with the intent of raising money to donate locally in honor of their father, Robert.
“We were only thinking it would be a one-time thing,” said Paul Gokey, Robert’s son.
The next year, they moved the fundraiser to Memorial weekend and sustained what would become a 43-year tradition. It eventually was in memory of the siblings’ brother Jim as well.
“It became one of those things that made people stop,” Paul added.
Over the years, all of the family members and employees working at the hamburger stand have donated their time and energy for that entire weekend, putting in hours wage free.
In recent years, proceeds have reached several thousand dollars throughout the weekend. Paul said, at one time, he had kept a tally of how much Pete’s has raised for the community over 43 years, but he’s since lost track of that information. But, that won’t keep the Gokeys from continuing the yearly fundraiser.
The Pete’s Hamburger Stand donations are always given to benefit people with cancer or mental or physical disabilities.