Fund-raiser to boost nature center

WESTAMPTON The Rancocas Nature Center in Westampton, which 18 months ago appeared to be on the brink of insolvency, has joined in a fund-raiser with the local Charlie Brown's steak house.

The chain will donate 20 percent of the food bill of any patrons who, on July 9, mention the name "Rancocas Nature Center" to their servers at the Westampton restaurant.

In February, Charlie Brown's first fund-raiser for the nonprofit was so successful that the manager wanted to do one every month, according Rich Chichester, cochair of the Friends of Rancocas Center. "But we didn't want to wear out our welcome."

The offer will be in effect from 11:30 a.m. until 10 p.m. July 9. The restaurant is at 949 Route 541 in Westampton.

Center cochair Toni Price said that a large group of Shriners eating at the restaurant in February learned of the fund-raiser and "really boosted our totals."

The Friends of Rancocas Nature Center formed in January when the Audubon Society of New Jersey, which had operated it for 35 years, announced that it could no longer afford to do so.

In five months the hastily formed friends group created a shared-services agreement with the township, Burlington County, and the New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry to keep it open.

The 210-acre center, within Rancocas State Park, is at 794 Rancocas Rd.

Further information is available by calling 609-261-2495 or visiting the website at www.RancocasNatureCenter.org.