Responding to reductions in state funding for GED programs, sixteen Chattanooga area Waffle House restaurants have aligned with Chattanooga State Community College and agreed to donate a $1 from the purchase of every waffle to help sustain the college’s GED training and testing program.  Known as “Don’t Waffle on Education,” this unique fundraising campaign begins on Monday, December 7, and continues through Sunday, December 13.  On Tuesday, December 1, Dr. James Catanzaro, president of Chattanooga State, will salute Waffle House by thanking diners at the Waffle House restaurant located at 102 Signal Mountain Road.  Beginning at 10:30 a.m., Dr. Catanzaro will don the apron and chef’s hat of a short-order cook and learn the secret to baking the perfect Waffle House waffle.

Father and son, Don Lewis and Kirk Lewis, are the owners of the Waffle House restaurants in Chattanooga.  When asked about their motivation to provide funding for GED education, Kirk Lewis quickly referenced a quote by Waffle House co-founder, Joe Rogers.  "Joe Rogers was committed to his community and his customers,” says Mr. Lewis.  “His statement, “We are not in the food business...we are in the people business,” has guided our business philosophy.  My father and I are pleased that Chattanooga State thought of Waffle House as a sponsor of this project, and we hope that the larger Chattanooga community will participate in the “Don’t Waffle on Education” promotion by visiting one of our restaurants during the week of December 7 through 13.”

For more information about the “Don’t Waffle on Education” promotion with Waffle House restaurants, call the Chattanooga State information hotline at 423.697.4404 or toll free at 1.866.547.3733 or visit the college’s Web site at www.chattanoogastate.edu.

For more information about Chattanooga State Community College and its educational programs, call the Chattanooga State information hotline at 423.697.4404 or toll free at 1.866.547.3733 or visit the college’s Web site at www.chattanoogastate.edu.

Chattanooga State Community College is a comprehensive, regionally accredited community college, operated under the policies and guidelines of the Tennessee Board of Regents College System.  Founded in 1965 and serving a six-county area in Southeast Tennessee, Chattanooga State offers a wide array of programs and services.