The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

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May 28, 2008

RGH, Pasquale’s win Celebrity Night

Local hospital, restaurant raise total of $3,666

Andrea Meador

For the third year in a row, Raleigh General Hospital partnered with Pasquale Mira’s Italian Restaurant and won first place in the United Way of Southern West Virginia’s Celebrity Night fundraiser.

A total of eight area restaurants participated in the May 22 event, raising more than $16,850. Raleigh General and Pasquale’s accounted for $3,666 while Garfield’s and Crossroads Mall came in second with $3,538 and Applebee’s and Mountain State University was third with $3,250. According to Linda Lugar, executive director of the United Way of Southern West Virginia, the event was a huge success and was one of the bigger years.

“Last year, we raised $12,000, which included two other counties,” Lugar said. “What was heart-warming is that this money came strictly from Raleigh County. It has more than doubled since last year.”

During Celebrity Night, a business teams up with a restaurant during a designated period of time. Tip money during the night is donated to the United Way to support 26 nonprofit agencies and the Women’s Resource Center.

“There were lots of prizes and good meals served that night,” Lugar said. “I went to all eight restaurants and I can say that it was a lot of fun. Waiters and waitresses are still calling me today telling me how much fun it was.”

For Raleigh General Hospital, its shift was three hours, and employees from the hospital served as celebrity waiters. Karen Bowling, CEO at Raleigh General, agreed with Lugar that the event was a lot of fun. Plus, she said, it was going to a good cause.

“We were very excited to work with the folks from Pasquale’s,” she said. “It’s a team effort and we’re thankful that the waiters gave up their tip money for a good cause.”

Brian Williams, owner of Pasquale’s, said the restaurant has been participating in Celebrity Night for four years and that he found it great that many loyal customers came out to support the United Way.

“That night we provided great food and a great atmosphere,” he said. “We had so many good, continuous customers that support us through that. Plus, a lot of physicians came out and donated.”

Overall, Bowling said it was a heart-warming event.

“Here we are in a time where many people are struggling with their personal finances, with gas prices going up and up, and people still want to give back to community,” she said. “It’s nice to see people come out and reach into their pocketbook to do the right thing.”

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