Customer purchases and private donations drive record-breaking fundraiser
LAS VEGAS (June 6, 2008) – RA Sushi Bar
Restaurant’s fourth annual “Nicky’s Week” fundraiser raised more than $132,000
for the internationally renowned St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. All 19
RA Sushi restaurants nationwide participated in the fundraiser from May 25 - 31.
RA Sushi donated 100 percent of the proceeds from the sale of Tootsy
Maki, Edamame, Pork Gyoza, FIJI Water, Red Bull and other select beverages to
benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, which is known for its pioneering
work in finding cures and saving children with cancer and other catastrophic
diseases.
The Las Vegas location raised more than $5,500 alone, for the
cause. On Wednesday, May 28, the Las Vegas RA Sushi held a “Celebrity Bartending
Competition” with celebrity personality Robin Leach and Las Vegas’ own Mayor
Oscar Goodman. Together the duo battled it out by mixing and serving cocktails
to see who could raise the most donations for Nicky’s Week.
The
weeklong fundraiser was developed in memory of longtime St. Jude patient
Nicholas “Nicky” Mailliard who lost a long battle with brain cancer in February
2005. Nicky, the nephew of one of RA’s founders, Rich Howland held a special
place in the hearts of RA Sushi associates throughout the organization. The
restaurant developed this annual benefit in honor of Nicky and as a way to
further promote the exceptional support provided to all families with children
receiving care at St. Jude.
Since 2005, RA Sushi has raised nearly
$400,000 for the national children’s hospital and this year’s goal was $100,000.
“We are very grateful that so many of our customers dined at RA during
Nicky’s Week in support of this special cause, making it our most successful
fundraiser yet,” said Scott Kilpatrick, co-founder and vice president of RA
Sushi. “It’s heartwarming to know that families with very ill children will
directly benefit from these much-needed dollars.”
All funds raised will
help pay for the development of treatment and cures for diseases such as brain
tumors, leukemia, sickle cell disease, and other life threatening illnesses in
children.
About RA Sushi
RA Sushi is best known for
successfully combining distinctive sushi with a trendy, hip atmosphere. A
destination for the young and chic, as well as serious sushi connoisseurs, RA
serves fresh sushi sliced to order along with outstanding Japanese fusion
cuisine in a fun, lively environment. RA has 19 locations across the country
with five more locations slated to open by 2009. Enjoy RA Sushi in Arizona
(Ahwatukee, Mesa, North Scottsdale, South Scottsdale, Tempe and Tucson);
California (Corona, San Diego, Torrance and Tustin); Florida (Palm Beach Gardens
and Pembroke Pines); Illinois (Chicago, Glenview and Lombard); Maryland
(Baltimore); Nevada (Las Vegas); and Texas (Houston and Plano). For more
information about RA, visit www.RAsushi.com.
About St. Jude
St.
Jude Children’s Research Hospital is internationally recognized for its
pioneering work in finding cures and saving children with cancer and other
catastrophic diseases. Founded by late entertainer Danny Thomas and based in
Memphis, Tenn., St. Jude freely shares its discoveries with scientific and
medical communities around the world. No family ever pays for treatments not
covered by insurance, and families without insurance are never asked to pay. St.
Jude is financially supported by ALSAC, its fundraising organization. For more
information, please call 800-396-1158 or visit www.stjude.org.
