A&W restaurants across Canada held their third annual Cruisin’ for a Cause Day, where $1 from every Teen Burger sold would go towards funding research and providing services for those with Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

During the 2010 event, the Invermere A&W raised $1,800, implementing donation jars and donating $1 off of every burger sold instead of just the Teen Burger.

This year, on August 25, the Invermere A&W team pulled out all the stops for the MS cause and managed to nearly double what they raised last year, collecting around $3,000.

“We’re just overwhelmed with the results,” said Assistant Manager Jarrett Nixon.

In addition to incorporating multi-burger donations, this year the Invermere A&W went a step beyond and held a silent auction from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The silent auction idea was brought up by Nixon, and became something of a “pet project” for him.

“While A&W donated some of the auction prizes, about 98 per cent of the table is local donations from overly-generous proprietors,” said Nixon. “It’s amazing the support we received for this, I’m speechless.”

Nixon went on to say that he was “very proud” of the display and the large amount of interest throughout the day as customers came and placed bids.

“If the auction goes well, I’d like to carry it onward and expand upon it,” said Nixon.

Considering the nearly-doubled amount of funds raised this year, it may be a safe bet that the auction will return for 2012.

Prior to the key date, the Invermere A&W had donation jars throughout the month to collect funds for MS research.

One dollar donations earned the donor a license plate, signed and hung on the restaurant’s side wall, which was almost completely filled on the Cruisin’ for a Cause Day.

“From the donation jars alone we’ve raised close to $600,” said Nixon.

When asked why the local restaurant was taking extra steps for the national event, Nixon said, “we wanted to help raise money for this cause and take it as far as we can go. It’s a great cause.”