Fundraising nights provide a great opportunity for children and parents to gather and support Waltham.

If you are not familiar with them, these are events where a restaurant guarantees a percentage of proceeds from one night, during specific hours, to a local school. These events are not exclusive to our city, but for me, they represent what makes Waltham a great place to live. I learned that lesson when I recently attended two events for my son's school.

The second fundraising night was held earlier this month at Papa Gino's on Lexington Street. Soon after I arrived, I spotted a friend of my son's from school, and his family. Bumping into them quickly became an impromptu dinner and play date! We joined them and my son shared his toys with his friends, while I chatted with his friend's mother.

While we waited for our pizza, the other mom and I talked about our boys, their teachers, what children are doing in school and plans for the holiday season. While I had never met this woman before, it did not seem to matter — our boys were friends, and therefore, we were friends by association. We commiserated over a tough assignment her son had due immediately before the school holiday break, and compared notes on who had which teachers in previous years.

By the end of the evening, the kids had a great time playing and eating pizza and I was able to enjoy some much-needed adult conversation, something I, as a single mom, don't do too often. I was also able to benefit my son's school and even exchanged numbers with my son's friend's mom. We also exchanged a promise to schedule a play date for our boys in the future. 

As a single mom to a school-age child, nights where both my son and I get to be social don't happen often. These fundraising nights provide a "night out" for us both, where he gets to play with someone who can tell an Autobot from a Decepticon, and I get to meet other Waltham parents.

Although, I would like to see some of the other restaurants in Waltham, especially on Moody Street, participate in a fundraising night. Perhaps a business could host a mixer for parents and fundraising night. I know I'd be there!

It was and always is a great way for local businesses to  contribute to the community's well being.

Tamar Wallace is a single mother who lives in Waltham.