Gordon Woodworth (2021)
Pete Cloutier, Mike Sullivan and Dan Miner (left to right) are honored for their work supporting Operation Santa Claus through the Small Business Challege. Operation founder Frank Munoff, at right, honored them with plaques for their work.
The Small Business Challenge continues.
Each year since 2013, when Pete Brock of Sam’s Diner started the challenge, he raised money for the local charity Operation Santa Claus. It started when he put a jar on the counter top at his diner, dropped a check for $100 into it and challenged other business owners to do the same.
Last year he raised $65,000 to help clothe area children.
After Brock died in August, some of his friends stepped up and are taking the challenge to new heights.
WCKM’s Dan Miner and Pete Cloutier, along with GA Bove & Sons’ Mike Sullivan, have already reached their personal goal of raising $65,001 this year on their way to $85,000.
“I think that’s within reach,” Miner said. “It was a natural step for us to do it to keep Pete’s legacy alive.”
Operation Santa Claus co-founder Frank Munoff stopped by the WCKM studios Monday morning, Dec. 6, to present plaques of appreciation to Miner, Cloutier and Sullivan.
“This is our biggest fund-raiser for Operation Santa Claus,” he said. “We can’t thank you enough for all that you’ve done.”
Munoff said Operation Santa Claus, which holds its 35th annual Charity Ball this Saturday night Dec. 11, at the Sagamore Hotel, needs $150,000 annually to supply warm clothing to area children. WCKM's Adopt a Child program supplies them with new toys. The more money raised by the Small Business Challenge, the more children can be helped, Munoff said.
Earlier this year, a Sandy’s Clam Bar Reunion organized by Sullivan raised more than $30,000. Last month, Miner ate two Talk of the Town pizzas topped with candy corn and olives, and raised $9,000.
On Friday, Dec. 16, Cloutier and Miner will host the WCKM Morning Show’s annual auction of donated items. Cloutier said the big ticket item every year is a week at an Outer Banks (North Carolina) beach house donated by David and Barb Krogmann.
And on Sunday, Dec. 19, the Adirondack Thunder will host Operation Santa Claus Night at their 3 p.m. home game against the Newfoundland Growlers. Miner and Sullivan are selling tickets on Facebook for $20, and $5 will go toward Operation Santa Claus.
“We both just knew we were going to take it over,” Sullivan said. “We didn’t even have to say anything. It’s an honor to do it in Pete’s memory.”
Lisa Brock told FoothillsBusinessDaily.com: “We as a family are so honored that they jumped right in without us asking in honor of Peter. Peter would be so emotional right now knowing that those guys busted their butts to make sure they beat Peter’s total from last year because that’s what he would have wanted. This community is so unbelievable in the support and love they are giving to our family in honor of Peter.”
Operation Santa Claus info: 518-747-2628 or adirondackoperationsanta.org.
Courtesy Lisa Brock (2021)
Peter and Lisa Brock.
Correction: An earlier draft of the story said that Operation Santa Claus supplies warm clothing and toys. They supply clothing. WCKM's Adopt a Child program supplies them with new toys. The correction has been made, and we apologize for the error.