The 2016 Melissa Marottoli Hogan Foundation - Gala For A Cure

Save the date for the Melissa Marottoli Hogan Gala for a Cure

The 2016 Melissa Marottoli Hogan Gala for a Cure 

will be held on 

Saturday, March 5th at 7:00pm 

at Woodwinds in Branford, CT

In early 2015 I had the honor of attending the Annual Melissa Marottoli Hogan Gala for a Cure. This event is held in conjunction with the Melissa Marottoli Hogan (MMH) Foundation. It was a wonderful event full of hope and love, celebrating the life of a beautiful woman, sister, daughter, granddaughter, cousin, wife, and friend, Melissa Marottoli Hogan, who lost her battle to cancer in December 2012.

About Melissa Marottoli Hogan

Melissa Marottoli Hogan was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer at 26 years old. There is no explanation, no reason, no answer to how Melissa got lung cancer. Many people erroneously believe that this type of cancer is caused by smoking. That is simply not the case as Melissa was not a smoker. In fact, according to the American Cancer Society, nearly 80% of new lung cancer cases do not smoke.

After her initial diagnosis, Melissa was able to beat the odds, living five years with stage IV lung cancer…. four years longer than expected. Her family attributes this to Melissa’s attitude, faith, and access to great medicine.

You see, throughout Melissa’s fight, her family researched cutting edge medicine, both domestic and abroad. They went to the remarkable major cancer centers: Dana-Farber, Memorial Sloan Kettering, MD Anderson, and Smilow at Yale, also to lesser known places in New York City and California, and to even more specialized clinics in Germany and Austria. Melissa's identical twin, Lindsay Marottoli Greenberg, was beside her sister the entire time, working with doctors to seek out new treatments, traveling to Vienna to use her own immune system to help her twin sister boost hers.

About the Foundation

Founded by the family of Melissa Marottoli Hogan to honor her life, the MMH Foundation seeks to support ground-breaking lung cancer research, to promote lung cancer awareness, and to provide assistance to lung cancer afflicted families. The Foundation donates all net proceeds, has no paid staff, and enlists the help of sponsors

Through the MMH Foundation, Melissa’s family wants to help other families beat the odds, and to assist researchers in finding a cure. They seek out oncologists who are committed to a cure, to thinkers attempting better care for cancer patients, less toxic than drugs alone.

Already the foundation has funded half a year’s research at a thoracic oncology lab at Smilow Caner Center at Yale New Haven. The leading physician at that lab is Dr. Scott N. Gettinger, who researches immunotherapy: a concept where our own immune systems can be taught to kill cancer.

About the Melissa Marottoli Hogan Gala For A Cure

Melissa Marottoli Hogan Gala For A Cure is a wonderful event featuring dinner and dancing, a silent and live auction. Melissa's family truly makes this gala an event filled with life and love in honor of the beautiful Melissa Marottoli Hogan. For more pictures from the 2015 event visit HERE.

March 5, 2015
Woodwinds
29 Schoolground Road
Branford, CT 06405

Tickets $100.00
Please make checks payable to Melissa Marottoli Hogan Foundation

Melissa Marottoli Hogan Foundation
6 Partridge Lane
Branford, CT 06405

Contact info@mmhforacure.org
203.675.7492

Purchase a Ticket as an Attendee:

Ticket Options

Single Ticket $100.00 USDTwo Tickets $200.00 USDThree Tickets $300.00 USDFour Tickets $400.00 USDFive Tickets $500.00 USDSix Tickets $600.00 USDSeven Tickets $700.00 USDEight Tickets $800.00 USDNine Tickets $900.00 USDTable (10) $1,000.00 USD

Make a Donation:

Founded by the family of Melissa Marottoli Hogan to honor her life and to assist with lung cancer research. Each year the foundation seeks to support groundbreaking lung cancer research, promote lung cancer awareness and provide direct aid to families in need. There are no paid employees and 100% of the net proceeds go to support the goals of the foundation.

Food For Thought - Restaurant Week in CT to Benefit the Salvation Army

 Food For Thought Restaurant Week benefiting the Salvation Army is coming to Connecticut!

Did you know:

• That the Salvation Army serves over 60 million meals annually to anyone in need through its many soup kitchens, sit-down meal programs, food pantries, mobile meals and community gardens?
  
• That they provided over 400,000 meals and fulfilled 200,000 grocery orders in CT alone?

We all know that "restaurant weeks" are popping up in every town - but unlike most local efforts, this state-wide effort has a great reach - for a worthy cause!

The Food For Thought Restaurant Week will run 11-1-15 through 11-5-15!

The deadline for restaurants to sign up is 10-12-15: 

Sign up here: http://www.f4trestaurantweek.org/sign-up.html 

For a list of participating CT Restaurants 

           ==>> http://www.f4trestaurantweek.org/where-to-dine.html 

Turning Wine into Water: Harvest Tasting Benefit at The Landing in Stamford CT

Turning Wine into Water Benefit at The Landing

David Cingari, and the entire team from David’s Soundview Catering & Events, which includes Executive Chef Francois Kwaku-Dongo,  is looking forward to the month of October – a fall harvest that’s filled with bringing people together over great food and wine.

The 10th Annual Turning Wine Into Water Harvest Tasting

When: Saturday, October 3, 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Donation Levels: $35 Non-vintage, $75 Vintage

Where: The Landing by David’s Soundview Catering, 232 Harbor Drive, Stamford CT

Peter Troilo from Nicholas Roberts Fine Wines in Darien has spearheaded a financial campaign beginning in 2005 which has funded the building of well frames to pump clean water to over 25,000 people in a remote area of Zambia, and has built water, hygiene and sanitation facilities (WASH) throughout impoverished Ethiopian villages where the poorest of the poor have never had access to clean water.

This year Peter and David team up to present an evening of fine wine and food so that we all can contribute Turning Wine Into Water.

www.nicholasrobertsltd.com

Tickets: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/10th-annual-harvest-tasting-tickets-18249803654?aff=es2link

2014 Toys for Tots Collection by Mike's Harley Davidson New London CT

Toys for Tots and the Marines team up with Santa and Mike's Famous Harley-Davidson at the former Coca-Cola® Factory to Bring Hope to the Community

Santa and Mrs. Clause will ride into the new Mike's Famous Harley-Davidson in New London this Saturday, December 13, from 12 - 3 p.m. to join United States Senator Richard Blumenthal and Congressman Joe Courtney in supporting the U.S. Reserve Marine Corps annual Toys for Tots campaign.

The free event will include photos with Santa and the whole family ... even pets are welcome. Santa will greet visitors in a Harley-Davidson® sidecar set in front of a traditional stone fireplace within the former Coca-Cola® factory. Local sports celebrities including Casey Cochran (UConn football player) and Roger LaFrancois (former Boston Red Sox player and St. Louis Cardinal's coach) will be on hand to sign autographs. The brand new showroom not only features motorcycles, ATVs and watercraft, but also boasts an extensive selection of riding gear, accessories, clothing, and toys; there's something fun for every member of the family at this exciting new venue. Each child will receive a free gift from Santa, and festive refreshments will be offered.


Mike's Famous Harley-Davidson is the New London County collection and staging headquarters for Toys for Tots, locally sponsored by the Thames River Detachment Marine Corps League.  For months, the community has been donating toys and the Marines have been collecting, sorting and staging the gifts inside of Mike's Famous®. The initiative will provide toys to children represented by dozens of charities and non-profit organizations this holiday season.  Additionally, non-perishable food items are being accepted for donation to the Gemma E. Moran United Way Food Center.


"We are thrilled beyond belief to be working with Mike's Famous Harley-Davidson this year on our annual toy drive," said Jim Reid, Junior Vice Commandant of the Thames River Detachment Marine Corps League.  "Mike has gone above and beyond the call of duty and has spent a lot of resources to accommodate our needs. In past years, we have worked in unheated warehouses and other tough conditions.  Our very comfortable headquarters at Mike's Famous is absolutely fantastic, and his staff has been great to work with. We are extremely grateful," Reid added.

Following the Bureau of Labor Statistic's positive November jobs report, the 2015 economy looks bright for the region. This bodes well for U.S. businesses like Mike's Famous Harley-Davidson, and its owner, Mike Schwartz, who invested in the City of New London this past year.  He purchased the former Coca-Cola® bottling plant on Bank Street in the late summer of 2013, and by soliciting suggestions from the community, transformed the crumbling building into a customer led showroom and retail destination, which opened in the spring of 2014.  This adaptive reuse project has created 40 full and part-time jobs in a fun, unique, authentic environment which merges two iconic brands, Coca-Cola® and Harley-Davidson®.

Coca-Cola's® 2014 holiday campaign, "Make Someone Happy," focuses on the spirit of generosity and togetherness, and encourages small acts of kindness.  Coke® is bringing back their original Santa, imagined over 80 years ago by artist Haddon Sundblom, to elicit a feeling of history and nostalgia. In keeping with this theme, elected officials, local celebrities, Boy Scouts, Young Marines, senior Marine officers and military personnel are donating their time on Saturday to participate in the Toys for Tots event at Mike's Famous Harley-Davidson, bringing the larger community together to help others.



About the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program:
The objectives of Toys for Tots are to help less fortunate children throughout the United States experience the joy of Christmas; to play an active role in the development of one of our nation's most valuable resources - our children; to unite all members of local communities in a common cause for three months each year during the annual toy collection and distribution campaign; and to contribute to better communities in the future.


About Mike's Famous Harley-Davidson:
Mike's Famous Harley-Davidson is located at 951 Bank Street in New London, CT.   The new dealership opened in March of 2014 in 55,000 square feet within the former Coca-Cola® bottling plant.  It also represents the Can-Am® brands of ATVs, Side-by-Sides, Spyders® and Sea-Doo® Watercraft, and carries the full line of Polaris® recreational products.

Parallel Post's "Hello Kitty" Dessert Combo benefits CT Breast Health Initiative

 

I'm thinking PINK for the month of October - how about you? 

And so is Parallel Post  at the Trumbull Marriott!

Throughout the month of October, in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Parallel Post will be serving up the "Hello Kitty" Combo for a dessert and after dinner cocktail.

The decadent combo will feature a steaming spiked cappuccino cocktail, made with Godiva Chocolate Liquor, Compari and Onyx 111 Moonshine in organic Shearwater Coffee. accented with pink foam and pink chocolate shavings. The Coffee Cocktail will be accompanied by a Pink Cupcake filled with pink pudding, topped with pink buttercream frosting and garnished with pink ribbon sprinkles and pink chocolate shavings. 

With every $15 Hello Kitty sold at Parallel Post throughout the month of October, a percentage of sales will be donated to the Connecticut Breast Health Initiative http://ctbhi.org located in New Britain.  

Parallel Post is overseen by James Beard nominated Chef Dean James Max, and is a modern-American restaurant based in Trumbull, CT. focused on seasonal and regional cuisine.  

Below are some key facts regarding CT Breast Health Initiative and breast cancer statistics in Connecticut.

The CT Breast Health Initiative, Inc. was founded in 2004 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Their mission is to make a difference locally in the fight against breast cancer through education and research.  Their desire is to find a cure for breast cancer in our lifetime. 

Connecticut is currently ranked 35^th in the nation for breast cancer mortality and for a small state, this is a huge challenge. That’s why 100% of the money raised in Connecticut stays in Connecticut. CT BHI has focused all of its considerable energy and resources on education and research, funding forward thinking programs that have yet to qualify for federal grants. And it’s all happening where it matters most – right here at home!  To date, CT BHI has awarded $2.3 million to fund important breast cancer research and education projects in Connecticut. Thus far, they have funded 20 researchers at various Connecticut hospitals and organizations. 

Six have reported on their progress at national meetings and one research project is patent pending.

They strive each year to surpass this milestone with the help of their supporters, sponsors and fundraising events.  And here's where you come in! You CAN make a difference! 

Join your friends for this sweet treat combo - and help support a great cause!

Parallel Post Restaurant

180 Hawley Lane, Trumbull CT 06611

Phone/Reservations  203-380-6380

Located in the Trumbull Marriott - Merritt Parkway

On the Web: http://parallelpostrestaurant.com/

Like them on facebook https://www.facebook.com/ParallelPost

Follow them on twitter: https://twitter.com/ParallelPostCT

Community Plates - Food For All 2014 Benefit

The Darien Community Association was the setting for the 2014 Community Plates Fairfield County benefit fundraiser.

The Community Plates Food For All 2014 (#FoodForAll2014) benefit supports the direct-transfer food rescue organization dedicated to ending food insecurity in America. Featuring some of Fairfield County’s newest and best restaurants and the area's top bartenders, this is the showcase benefit to support the fight to end hunger

The event highlights the organization’s goals for the coming year and is their signature fundraising event. as well as the perfect venue for celebrating the year's accomplishments.

Attendees had the opportunity to learn more about Community Plates and their newly developed GoRescue application, the organization’s award-winning web and smartphone enabled interactive food rescue scheduling tool which connects food-service organizations that gather and donate food that would otherwise be wasted; to food runners, who give of their time to pick-up and deliver food donations; to the receiving agencies that ensure donated food gets to those in need throughout the community.

From the moment we arrived to the Darien Community Association and were greeted by Match Restaurant's resident mixologist Adam Patrick, we knew we were in for a fabulous evening

Adam Patrick - Match Restaurant

And, the evening only got better, as we sampled some of the finest wines, cocktails, and small bites from the area's restaurants and food purveyors. Beginning with srichia deviled eggs from the Granola bar to a happy ending with an organic dark roast coffee at Shearwater Coffee Roasters, the benefit was the perfect way to spend an early fall evening under the moon and stars raising money for a worthy cause.

Back garden at the Darien Community Association

Here's just a small view of some of the items we sampled:

The Granola Bar

Back 40 Farm Kitchen

Craft 260

Rizzuto's

Bravo NY Delicatessen

Cask Republic

Chef Geoff Lazlo

Gastro Bar Restaurant and Wine Bar

Hana Tokyo

Little Barn

Local Beer Bar

Mama's Boy

Walrus + Carpenter

Shearwater Organic Coffee Roasters

For more photos of the event visit the Home Place facebook page HERE and while you're there - don't forget to "like" us!


And I would be remiss, if I didn't mention the many  fine people who offered their services for this wonderful event!

Azuca Bistro Latino - Stamford
Back40 Kitchen - Greenwich
Bravo - Stamford
Brick + Wood – Fairfield
Chef Geoff Lazlo - Greenwich
Craft 260 – Fairfield
Gastro Bar – Stamford
Geronimo – Fairfield
Hana Tokyo - Fairfield
Johnny Utah's - Norwalk
Little Barn - Westport
Little Pub - Greenwich
Local Kitchen + Beer Bar – Norwalk/Fairfield
Rizzuto’s Sports Bar + Grill - Stamford
Shearwater Organic Coffee Roasters - Trumbull
Sign of the Whale - Stamford
The Granola Bar - Westport
Walrus & Carpenter - Fairfield
Washington Prime - Norwalk


Marcia Selden Catering - Stamford

Craft Cocktail Bars:
Bailey’s Backyard
Cask Republic
Match
Mama’s Boy


Maximum Exposure Public Relations

Event Venue:
Darien Community Association
274 Middlesex Rd, Darien, CT 06820

If you missed the event - you can still help Click HERE to join the efforts to end hunger!

Contact Info:

Community Plates

165 New Canaan Avenue
Norwalk, CT 06850

Phone: 800•280•329

www.communityplates.org/FFA14 

Join the effort here: http://communityplates.org/join-us/

More information on Community Plates
Community Plates is committed to ending food insecurity in America.  Recognizing the problem as a matter of logistics, not a lack of food, the organization established a volunteer-driven, technology fueled method for transferring surplus food to those in need.  The simple process includes food donors (e.g., grocery stores, restaurants, caterers, bakeries and other food-service establishments), food runners (individuals who pick-up and deliver donated food) and receiving agencies (e.g., soup kitchens, pantries, etc.).  Scheduling is made easy with the web and smartphone enabled Community Plates’ GoRescue technology powered by WhenToManage, which received the 2013 Computerworld Honors Program 21st Century Achievement Award for human services.  Since Community Plates was founded in 2011, more than 700 volunteers have rescued food that equates to 4.9 million meals to date.  Launched and headquartered in Fairfield County, CT, Community Plates also operates in New Haven, CT, Albuquerque, NM and Columbus, OH with plans to expand to four more markets in 2014.  For more information or to get involved visit:  http://communityplates.org.