FAIRHOPE, Alabama—Dining out this Thursday in two dozen participating restaurants in Fairhope and Daphne will help the families of two sheriff’s deputies who were shot in the line of duty last month.

The restaurants will donate a portion of their sales proceeds from the business they do on Dec. 13 to the family of Baldwin County Sheriff’s Deputy Scott Ward, who was killed on Nov. 23 while responding to a call in Fairhope.

Deputy Curtis Summerlin, who was also shot and injured during the call, is at home recuperating but will need surgery in the near future, according to BCSO spokespersons yesterday.

 “I thought it would be nice for the community to get involved,” said Bryan Injaian, manager of Wintzell’s Oyster House in Fairhope, who organized the “Dining to Donate” campaign. “People love to go out to eat in Fairhope, and we’re such a tightknit community.”

Injaian went around to businesses the past two weeks and got them to agree to donate a portion of their sales.

The participating businesses include: Wintzell's Oyster House, Ruby Tuesday, Tamara's Downtown, Agave, Fairhope Inn and Restaurant, Pinzone's, East Shore Café, My Place, Big Daddy's, Gambino's, Courtyard 311, Rosie's Bar & Grill, Gumbo Shack, Dragonfly Food Bar, Old 27 Grill, Julwin's Restaurant, Andree's, Master Joe's Sushi, Locals, Papa's Pizza, Camellia Café, Panini Pete's and McSharry's Irish Pub.

Some businesses will donate 20 percent and others 15 percent, but the amount donated is up to each business, he said. The sales proceeds will be sent by each business to a benefit fund already established by the sheriff’s office for the families.

“Harry Johnson (owner of Rosie’s Grill and Courtyard 311) was the first to say absolutely, then Gambino’s,” Injaian said. “Big Daddy’s was a really big supporter. As the names grew on the list, it was pretty easy for people to say they’d also like to be on the list.”