The Salvation Army presented its first Countertop Red Kettle Award to Dragon Kitchen on Monday.
The award was for the business that raised the most money for the Salvation Army's Red Kettle Campaign through countertop donation jars.
"They have been first for the last three years, but this is the first year we have decided to do the traveling trophy award," said Lt. Christopher White of the Salvation Army, who made the announcement. "Dragon Kitchen raised $168.82, which is really a lot of pennies and a lot of quarters."
Salvation Army board member Ruby Cannon and her husband, Earl, have collected donations through the countertop program for four years. Dragon Kitchen has done the best among the 12 businesses that participate annually for every year that Earl has worked the event, he said.
The total countertop donations were more than $860, and Central Diary and the Conoco service station on Jefferson Street had won second and third places respectively, White said.
"We try to give back whichever way we can, and this was a very nice and simple way for us to do that," said Danny Cheng, owner of the restaurant. "We really have to thank our customers."
The Red Kettle Campaign as a whole this year collected more than $258,900, White said. This surpassed the goal by $1,400 and will ensure the Army's funding for the following year.