Aqua Grill owner Cary Hart announced today that his restaurant has established a relationship with the Kate Amato Foundation, a public charity founded earlier this year by the parents and friends of Kate Amato.
Amato passed away at age 11 from rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of pediatric cancer.
“I have really enjoyed getting to know Lisa and Jeff Amato, and it’s an honor to have the opportunity to help them, however we can, to bring awareness and funding to the Kate Amato Foundation,” Hart said. “I have been moved not only by Lisa and Jeff’s dignity in the face of such a tragic loss, but also to their commitment to publicize the need for research funding for all forms of pediatric cancer. Federal funding in the U.S. for childhood cancer research is just 4% of the National Cancer Institute’s annual budget, so grass-roots efforts like this are critical.”
The relationship will have three components. First, throughout Thanksgiving weekend a fundraising effort will take place within the restaurant.
“We’re working out details now, but it’s something we hope other local restaurants and businesses will ultimately join,” Hart said.
Second, the restaurant will host a $200 per-plate wine dinner Nov. 26 with all proceeds going to the Kate Amato Foundation.
“We have an incredible menu and wine selection for the evening,” Hart added. “It will be an amazing value as well as an amazing cause.”
Finally, the Aqua Grill will participate in the Kate Klassic, a fundraising golf tournament set for Nov. 27 at Marsh Landing Country Club.
“We’ve learned throughout Kate’s illness how shamefully underfunded pediatric cancer research is," Kate Amato's mother Lisa said. "With the help of community leaders like Cary Hart and others, we hope to inspire our community into action, fund innovative research and contribute to the strategic advancement of pediatric cancer treatments - because every child deserves to live a full life.”
For more information on the dinner, contact the Kate Amato Foundation at (904) 629-8300. Visit www.kateklassic.com for more information on the golf tournament.