HUBBARD — The Eagle Grille and Tavern hosted a spaghetti dinner fundraiser Monday to benefit the Hubbard Exempted Village School District’s fine and performing arts department.

Hubbard schools Superintendent Raymond Soloman said the idea for the fundraiser was brought up by Bill Santangelo, owner of the Eagle Grille and Tavern. He also thanked Santangelo for hosting the fundraiser.

Santangelo said he closed down the restaurant to host the spaghetti dinner and that his employees volunteered to assist.

“I wanted to do something to give back to the schools because they (have) wonderful programs, and they could always use more, even if it’s just aids for the kids so (this is) the best way I’m able to do that and utilize my facility and my staff and being able to help the community,” he said. “It’s very important to me, as a business owner, to be able to give back to the community that supports Eagle Grille and Tavern.

“By donating all proceeds from our spaghetti dinner fundraiser to Hubbard schools’ fine and performing arts department, we’re investing in the creative future of our youth.”

Among those who volunteered for the fundraiser were high school drama club students and their instructor, Mary Davis, who served pasta.

“I think it (the financial contribution) shows that their community is plugged in,” she said. “Maybe the community’s not at every game or every show or every performance, but they care about the well-being of our kids and it really is kind of like a group thing.

“You know, we’re all raising these kids together trying to do the best we can for them, so we just appreciate the gesture for sure.”

Scout Nicholson, a Hubbard High School junior and drama club member, said she decided to volunteer when she heard about it from Davis.

“I need to get my NHS (National Honors Society) hours in but mainly because we’re in drama club and we want to support that,” she said.

Cindy Zedaker of Hermitage, Pa., said she showed up and bought dinner to support the school’s art department.

“Our grandkids go to Hubbard,” she said. “(My) granddaughter in fifth grade is in the excelled art department. She has art in the Trumbull Art Gallery for April and she has a couple in the (school) art show tomorrow.”

Santangelo said they plan to host this fundraiser again next year and that he is planning on partnering with the school for more future events.