YARMOUTH — In an effort to help Bartlett Circle senior housing raise the money it needs by September for safety improvements, nine local restaurants are donating proceeds from special promotions in August.

Sandra McCatherin, manager of Bartlett Circle, said she and the fundraising committee went door to door asking area restaurants for help. Nine restaurants agreed – SeaGrass Bistro, Mr. Bagel, Deer Run Tavern, Bruce’s Burritos, Clayton’s Cafe, Grill 233, Pat’s Pizza, Royal Bean and the Down East Village Restaurant – and the EatOut! Yarmouth campaign was born.

In March, operators of Bartlett Circle began asking Yarmouth residents for help raising money to repair the dilapidated housing units. And now, construction is under way at the 28-unit, low-income housing complex, but McCatherin said they have raised only 25 percent of the $107,000 needed by September.

“We are doing fine, and the restaurant donations will help,” she said. “But this part is nerve-wracking.”

Bartlett Circle was created by a group of nine Yarmouth citizens in 1975 who were concerned about their parents’ living situations. They formed Yarmouth Senior Housing, a non-profit organization with a volunteer board of directors, and until this year were financially independent. The housing project was funded solely by rent, donations and in-kind community support from the Boy Scouts, Lions Club, Rotary Club and high school Interact Club.

But after 33 years, the board of directors decided it was time to update the homes to improve tenant safety, security, accessibility and emergency preparedness.

The first phase of the project includes widening the entrances to each home and installing ramps for wheelchairs. The walkways will be repaved and lighting will be upgraded.

McCatherin said the second phase will include improvements to the community building, parking spaces and green areas. The total project is expected to cost about $537,000, and $107,000 is needed by September to complete Phase I.

Bruce’s Burritos on Route 1 will participate by donating proceeds from sales of Pop’s Loaded Burrito to the cause. Erin Bruns, co-owner of Bruce’s, said the burrito is named after her father, and since he’s a grandfather, it made sense to dedicate his burrito to the senior housing project.

“We try to help out as many people in the area as we can,” Bruns said. “This is a great cause and will be fun to do for the month.”

The Pop’s Loaded Burrito is filled with guacamole, fresh baby spinach, rice, beans, cheese and sour cream. Bruns said 5 percent of the proceeds from sales of the burrito will go to Bartlett Circle.

Leslie McCatherin-Yale, owner of Mr. Bagel, said she would be help by putting donation cans around town. People shopping at Handy Andy’s or Meredith’s Stationary & Gifts can donate a few dollars to support the cause.

McCatherin said she likes the idea of local businesses participating because Bartlett Circle was created and has functioned on a local level for so long.

“This fundraiser will benefit us and the restaurants,” she said. “The whole idea is to help and support the local community.”

Amy Anderson can be reached at 781-3661 ext. 110 or aanderson@theforecaster.net.

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How To Help

To learn more about EatOut! in Yarmouth or to donate to the Bartlett Circle renovation project, contact Sandra McCatherin at 829-4354 or visit bartlettcircle.com

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