National Restaurant Association Announces Winners of 2009 Restaurant Neighbor Award for Outstanding Community Service

Social Media News Release

September 14, 2009
National Restaurant Association Announces Winners of 2009 Restaurant Neighbor Award for Outstanding Community Service

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Restaurant Neighbor Award

The National Restaurant Association and founding partner American Express developed the Restaurant Neighbor Award to raise awareness about the restaurant industry’s contributions in local communities across the country and to inspire other restaurant operators and owners to make even greater contributions in their communities.

News Highlights

The National Restaurant Association announced the winners of its prestigious Restaurant Neighbor Award for 2009 at a gala luncheon in Washington, D.C.
The Restaurant Neighbor Award recognizes winners in four categories that exemplify the philanthropic spirit of the restaurant industry.
Winner in the small business category is Madam's Organ in Washington, D.C., for its program for inner-city children.
Winner in the mid-size business category is Rod's Steak & Seafood Grille in Morristown, N.J., for its hunger-relief program helping the homeless.
Winner in the large business category is BJ's Restaurants, headquartered in Huntington Beach, Calif., with locations nationwide, for its TASC Force program that supports a variety of local programs.
Winner in the Cornerstone Humanitarian category is Alex Ray, of Common Man Family of Restaurants in Ashland, N.H., for his personal commitment to community service.
Each participating state restaurant association selects Restaurant Neighbor Award winners in their respective states that compete with winners from other states for the national award. Each winner receives a $5,000 donation to its charitable program or cause.
American Express is the founding partner of the Restaurant Neighbor Award.
See profiles of all Restaurant Neighbor Award finalists.
Read full news release.

Quote

"We are proud to honor these exceptional restaurants and community leaders for their dedicated commitment to enhancing the quality of life for everyone in their communities. Our industry has a strong foundation and long history of philanthropy, and works to make a difference in local communities across the nation. This year’s Restaurant Neighbor Award winners were selected for their innovative approaches and enormous efforts."
— Dawn Sweeney, National Restaurant Association President and CEO
"American Express is proud to partner with the National Restaurant Association to honor restaurants across the country for the invaluable contributions they make to their communities. The impact restaurateurs have in their communities through charitable activities and relief projects is tremendous and we hope their actions inspire others to do the same."
— Curtis L. Wilson, Vice President and General Manager, Restaurant Industries Group, American Express

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Founded in 1919, the National Restaurant Association is the leading business association for the restaurant industry, which is comprised of 945,000 restaurant and foodservice outlets and a work force of 13 million employees. Together with the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, the Association works to lead America’s restaurant industry into a new era of prosperity, prominence, and participation, enhancing the quality of life for all we serve. For more information, visit our Web site at www.restaurant.org.