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| For Immediate Release |
Contact: Andy Deloney |
| August 9, 2005 |
517/377-3931 |
MICHIGAN RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF ANNUAL PHILANTHROPY AWARDS
LANSING, MI – The Michigan Restaurant Association (MRA) today announced three state winners for the seventh annual Restaurant Neighbor Award and Cornerstone Humanitarian Award. The program was created by the National Restaurant Association to honor restaurants’ commitment to community service and innovative community projects and to underscore that restaurants truly are the cornerstone of local communities.
The two winners of the Restaurant Neighbor Award are bd’s Mongolian Barbeque, headquartered in Ferndale, MI and Diamond Jim Brady’s Bistro, based in Novi, MI. The winner of the Cornerstone Humanitarian Award is Tom Brann of Brann’s Steakhouse and Grille, which calls Wyoming, MI home. They now will compete with winners from other states for the national awards to be presented in September.
“Each of these winners are prime examples of the generosity and philanthropy Michigan restaurants exhibit every day of the year in their communities,” said Rob Gifford, MRA executive director. “The Restaurant Neighbor Award and the Cornerstone Humanitarian Award recognize the driving force behind their involvement in community service. It is a great way to shine the spotlight on and honor the many things they do each day to make our communities better places to live and work."
“bd’s Mongolian Barbeque exemplifies the phrase community-minded,” said Gifford. “They’ve been a leader in supporting many local, national and international charitable programs at their restaurants and have opened their doors to numerous benevolent organizations, which have greatly benefited from their generosity.”
Gifford commented on Diamond Jim Brady’s Bistro: “Diamond Jim Brady’s Bistro is proof that the charitable acts of one small business can have a huge impact on a community. Brady’s has given significant support to women and children by helping to raise funds to provide safe and affordable child care to families who are struggling to make ends meet.”
“If you need a definition of a selfless and dedicated humanitarian, Tommy Brann is it,” said Gifford. “Tommy Brann has given limitlessly of himself, his time and his financial resources to make his local community a nicer, cleaner and safer place to live, work and visit. Included among his numerous humanitarian works is Brann’s Aid, which provides needed funds to his employees when facing emergencies, with no demand that they pay it back.”
“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 Steven C. Anderson. “Each year, we learn of new and innovative ways restaurants serve local communities across the nation, and I look forward to this year’s inspiring examples.”
The Restaurant Neighbor Award and Cornerstone Humanitarian Award honor 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 September 12-13, 2005. The three winners will each receive a $5,000 award to help the restaurant continue its community programs, and an all-expense paid trip to Washington, DC, for the award ceremony.
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.
Founded in 1921, the Michigan Restaurant Association represents more than 4,500 Michigan foodservice establishments. The foodservice industry plays an integral role in Michigan’s economy, employing more than 436,000 people and creating more than $11.3 billion in total annual sales. For more information, call (517) 482-5244.
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