News & Information
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| For Immediate Release |
Contact: Andy Deloney |
August 12, 2010
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517/377-3931 |
MRA Announces Winners of Annual Philanthropy Awards
Restaurants companies from Farmington Hills, Ferndale, and Pinckney recognized for outstanding charitable efforts
LANSING, Mich., – The Michigan Restaurant Association (MRA) today announced three state winners for the annual Restaurant Neighbor Award. The award, created by the National Restaurant Association, honors restaurants for their commitment to community service and innovative community projects. The three winners of the Restaurant Neighbor Award for Michigan are as follows:
In the small business category, the winner is Zukey Lake Tavern, located in Pinckney.
In the medium-size business category, the winner is Buddy’s Pizza, based in Farmington Hills.
Also, the association announced that Dean Bach, owner of Dino’s Restaurant and Lounge in Ferndale, is this year’s Cornerstone Humanitarian of the Year.
They now will compete with winners from other states for the national awards to be presented in September.
“Our Michigan winners are prime examples of the generosity and philanthropy restaurants across the state exhibit every day of the year in their communities,” said Rob Gifford, MRA president and chief executive officer. “It is an honor for these restaurants to receive the Restaurant Neighbor Award which recognizes commitment and innovation in community service. The award is a great way to shine the spotlight on and honor the many things restaurateurs do each day to make our communities better places to live and work.”
For 20 years, Zukey Lake Tavern has sponsored the Zukey Lake Tavern Charity Golf Outing to support the Trail’s Edge Camp. The last event raised $28,000 to send children to camp cost-free. The Tavern also holds holiday fundraisers. In 20 years, the Zukey Lake Tavern has raised more than $500,000.
Since 1976, Buddy’s Pizza has held it’s annual “Slice for Life” event in partnership with the Capuchin Soup Kitchen in Detroit. Buddy’s Pizza also donates food on a weekly basis. For the last 34 years, Buddy’s Pizza has donated $1.9 million in food and proceeds from the “Slice for Life” events.
Dean Bach, owner of Dino’s Restaurant and Lounge in Ferndale, has been a tremendous community contributor since he arrived in 2002, vowing to use Dino’s as a vehicle to help support local fundraising. He’s won seven local awards for raising the most money during the Ferndale Blues Fest, an event which supports local charities. He’s also supported organizations such as the Michigan AIDS Coalition, the Muscular Dystrophy Association, the American Red Cross, Salvation Army’s Locks of Love, and American Breast Cancer Foundation. He has also co-founded the Ferndale Film Festival, an event that benefits Ferndale Youth Assistance.
“Restaurants have long been true cornerstones of local communities across the country – in fact, nine out of 10 restaurants are involved in community service – and we are very pleased to recognize their efforts with our Restaurant Neighbor Award,” said National Restaurant Association President and Chief Executive Officer Dawn Sweeney. “Each year, we learn of new and innovative ways restaurants serve local communities across the nation.”
The Restaurant Neighbor Award honors charitable contributions of restaurants and restaurateurs. The Michigan winners will contend with winners from other states and be eligible for the national awards. One grand prize winner in each category will be announced at the National Restaurant Association’s Public Affairs Conference in Washington, DC, held in September.
A profile of each state winner’s community involvement will be highlighted in a booklet that the National Restaurant Association will distribute in the fall, as well as on the association’s web site, www.restaurant.org/community.
The Michigan Restaurant Association (MRA) is the recognized leader of Michigan's hospitality industry, providing essential services to the foodservice community. Founded in 1921, the MRA represents more than 4,500 Michigan foodservice establishments. The industry plays an integral role in Michigan's economy, employing more than 423,600 people and creating more than $13.1 billion in annual sales. For more information please call 800-968-9668.
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