Essex Junction owner Jeremy Goldberg has presented the BEF with the first in a series of monthly checks as part of an ongoing charity initiative. For every tweet Essex Junction is tagged in that features one of Essex Junction’s “Local Legend” cocktails, half of the posted drink’s price will be donated to the BEF as part of the monthly check. Another $50 will be added to the donation if the “Local Legend” the drink was named after shares the tweet. A tenth of the proceeds generated during monthly events beginning on May 18th and held on the third Wednesday of each month will be donated to the BEF as well.

BEF board member Michael Scuerman said, “We are excited about the program with Essex Junction and our hope is that the program will catch-on and grow with Essex Junction’s guests and each month’s donation will surpass the last. Our goal is that that other Bloomfield businesses will follow Essex Junction’s lead and implement similar programs.”

Jeremy Goldberg said, “In the short time since we started the program just after opening in February, we raised $175. I’m excited to think about how much will be raised over the course of a year [or more]. If other local businesses did this too, it could be very impactful for our educational programs and greatly benefit the students of Bloomfield.”