A Dine to Donate fundraiser held last month by the Gwynn’s Island Civic League Foundation at Howard-Dooley Café in Mathews raised over $1,600 for the purchase of a Yamaha professional synthesizer/keyboard and Titan field cart for the Mathews High School Marching Band.

Spokesperson Susan Mathiesen said the foundation kicked in the remaining funds to purchase the items, which cost a little over $2,000.

“These items will be a great addition to the program,” she said, “getting them on a level field with other bands in the area during marching band competitions.”

Howard-Dooley Café was packed for lunch and dinner and busier than usual during breakfast on the day of the event, said Mathiesen. In addition to the many local residents who participated on March 7, she said that teachers, school staff members, and members of the board of supervisors and school board were there that day, as well.

Community partners who also donated toward a portion of the day’s sales were Chimney Corn...