On Wednesday, May 9, 2018, Blue Bridge Hospitality will hold a special community charity event in support of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) at select Blue Bridge Hospitality locations. Locals can DINE, GIVE, SIP and indulge in ICE CREAM, while promoting a worthy cause.
“The LLS cause was brought to our attention by Laura Schwandt, our Chef Ronnie Schwandt’s wife,” says David Spatafore, owner of Blue Bridge Hospitality. “She is actively involved and coordinating efforts to help the cause and when she approached us, without hesitation, I said ‘what can we do?'” says Spatafore.
Through this event, BBH is teaming up with THE MIGHTY MINIONS, a fundraising campaign to not only support LLS, but a young boy, named Parker, who was recently diagnosed with Leukemia at the age of four years old.
In July of 2017, Parker was diagnosed with Pre B Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). His treatment is extensive, as it includes chemo infused through his port, intrathecal chemo (into his spine under anesthesia), oral chemo, and steroids. Parker, who was voted “Most Joyful” at his preschool, has undergone two bone marrow biopsies, two blood transfusions, and one IGG infusion. He was in the hospital about two weeks at diagnosis and then readmitted twice for about five days each time.
“Parker has his whole life ahead of him, yet he’s stuck fighting this terrible disease,” says Laura Schwandt, The Mighty Minions campaign manager. Schwandt, whose goal is to raise $50,000 through this campaign, is all too familiar with LLS, as she lost her grandmother to Leukemia when she was two years old. “I will fight for everyone who has fought, who is fighting, and who will have to fight cancer so that someday we will know a world without cancer,” she says.
“Clearly there are a lot of causes in the world that are meaningful and important, but to see kids suffering is particularly difficult for me,” says Spatafore, a father himself. “I just hoped that we could use our reach to impact a positive effort in helping Parker and other children like him!”
For every purchase at participating BBH participating locations, the company will donate one dollar towards The Mighty Minions LLS campaign. If you are interested in participating in the event, there are four ways to get involved:
1. Dine for a Cause Event May 9th. In celebration of Parker’s favorite food, Blue Bridge Hospitality is throwing a fundraising night at Village Pizzeria Bayside from 5-8 pm. Part of the proceeds from this evening will be donated back to LLS to help find a cure for blood Cancer. Enjoy live music, great pizza, and the San Diego skyline.
2. Cheers for a Cure, Drink for a Cause! Blue Bridge Hospitality will donate $1 directly to LLS for every draft beer purchased on Wednesday, May 9th. Participating locations include: Bottlecraft Liberty Station, Leroy’s Kitchen and Lounge, Maretalia Ristorante, West Pac Noodle Bar and Village Pizzeria, Orange Avenue
Rosé all day. Grab a flight on May 9th and celebrate Parker at Stake Chophouse & Bar! $1 for every fight purchased gets donated to LLS.
3. Ice Cream! Blue Bridge Hospitality will donate $1 directly to LLS for every pint purchased on Wednesday, May 9th. Parker will make a custom flavor that will be available at Mootime the week of the event.
4. Give Online: http://pages.mwoy.org/sd/sd18/coronado4parker
Once the goal of raising $50,000 has been reached, Schwandt will proudly name a research portfolio in Parker’s honor. “Together we can honor Parker and all of our loved ones who have been affected,” says Schwandt.
