Deer Park Restaurateur Honored with Friend of Education Award

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Tony Martinez

ALBANY, NY (03/27/2018) (readMedia)-- Tony Martinez, franchise owner of the Texas Roadhouse restaurant in Deer Park has been selected as the recipient of the 2018 Friend of Education award by the School Administrators Association of New York State (SAANYS). This award is given to an individual, group, or organization that has consistently contributed to the support and advancement of outstanding public education and the students of New York State.

Noting his personal commitment to community involvement, Martinez describes himself as a "yes man" who will always find a way to make things happen if the community has a need. At almost every event in the area, one can usually find Martinez in attendance. If it's not possible for him to attend personally, he will always send a representative from the Texas Roadhouse in his stead. Commented Susan Bonner, principal of Deer Park UFSD, "Tony is a force to be reckoned with. He has supported the Deer Park school district and individual schools in the district in so many amazing ways."

Not only has he provided hundreds of hours and countless donations of food to fundraisers and events within the district, he has also participated as a business partner, providing a work site for special needs students to practice and reinforce their life skills, as well as providing other employment opportunities to countless high school students. Additionally, he regularly allows the schools to use his venue for fundraising functions. As a direct result, the district has been able to purchase much needed playground and physical education equipment, a mobile school store, and has been able to offer a variety of assemblies and programs for students. In honor of everything he has done for the district, Martinez was made Grand Marshall of the district's homecoming parade in 2017.

Martinez and the Texas Roadhouse of Deer Park have received numerous community service awards. In 2016, he was the recipient of the SCOPE Education Services Community Service Award, and was recently honored as a Hispanic leader in the community by Senator Boyle with the Hispanic Heritage Award. Martinez is also a member of the Deer Park Community Association, and served as the president of the Deer Park Chamber of Commerce from 2014-2017.

Martinez will be honored for his contributions at an awards ceremony on May 4 at the Century House in Latham, New York.

SAANYS represents nearly 7,200 school administrators, supervisors, and coordinators. As a professional association, SAANYS is committed to providing direction, service, and support to the membership in their efforts to improve the quality of education and leadership in New York State schools. SAANYS is affiliated with the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) and the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP).

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