Farmers Market Vendor Donating Tips to Local Charity

When Brandon Winkler heard about the overcrowding at San Pedro's Marine Mammal Care Center on the news, he felt he had to act.

"They were having a huge problem with starving seals this week," he told Patch on Sunday. "(I thought), 'You know, this is a timely charity."

Winkler, who has his Wink's Lobster and Seafood booth at the Palos Verdes Farmers Market every Sunday, designates a charity to receive all his tips each month. He started his "Tips for a Cause" program about four months ago with a $66 donation for United Friends of Children, and each month, he's raised a little more. March's charity is the Marine Mammal Care Center.

"I'm hoping to get $200," he said.

He decided to start the donation tip jar after people kept trying to tip him. Because he owns his business, he said it didn't feel quite right for him to accept tips.

"I said, 'Well, if people want to give me tips, I'll just donate them," he told Patch. "It's kind of a feel-good thing for me."

Winkler will be selling his lobster rolls and New England clam chowder (as well as accepting donated tips for the Marine Mammal Care Center) at this Sunday's farmers market. The March 31 farmers market is the last chance to donate to the Marine Mammal Care Center.

For more information, visit the Wink's Lobster & Seafood website. The Palos Verdes Farmers Market is held Sundays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Peninsula Center.