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Madam's Organ Recognized with the NRA 2009 Restaurant Neighbor Award
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September14, 2009
CONTACT: Annika Stensson (202) 973-3677 astensson@restaurant.org
MaureenRyan (202)331-5939 mryan@restaurant.org
NationalRestaurant Association Recognizes Madam’s Organ in Washington , D.C. with 2009 Restaurant Neighbor Award
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“Madam’s Organ’s work withyoung people is commendable and truly symbolizes the spirit of philanthropy ofour industry,” said National Restaurant Association President and CEO DawnSweeney. “Bill Duggan’s personal commitment to the people in his community isan inspiration to us all, and a perfect example of how a small business canmake a big difference. We are excited to present our 2009 Restaurant NeighborAward to Bill and his team at Madam’s Organ.”
“Madam’s Organ is not only a terrific place to go see live music andenjoy great food and drink, it’s also a valuable member of our community,” saidLynne Breaux, President of Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington. “While
Bill Duggan was driving home from hisbeach house 13 years ago when he passed children playing on a run-down,inner-city playground. Duggan, who owns Madam’s Organ - a
Duggan believes that spending time at thebeach allows young people to just be the children they are, which can be achallenge on the inner city streets. Duggan, his family, staff members andother volunteers from the neighborhood take 20 boys and girls to histhree-building property in Dewey Beach, Del. The kids swim, fish, boat, huntcrabs and clams, and tell stories around the bonfire. Throughout the year,Duggan keeps in touch with many of the children and their families — many dropin for soda and wings after school.
The Madam’s Organ team also has an annualChristmas party for about 70 neighborhood kids and their parents.
“American Expressis proud to partner with the National Restaurant Association to honorrestaurants across the country for the invaluable contributions they make totheir communities,” said Curtis L. Wilson, Vice President and General Manager,Restaurant Industries Group, American Express. “The impact restaurateurs havein their communities through charitable activities and relief projects istremendous, and we hope their actions inspire others to do the same.”
The National Restaurant Associationand founding partner American Express developed the Restaurant Neighbor Awardto raise awareness about the restaurant industry’s contributions in localcommunities across the country and to inspire other restaurant operators andowners to make even greater contributions in their communities.
The Restaurant Neighbor Awardhonors charitable contributions in four categories (small business, mid-sizebusiness, large business/national chain, and Cornerstone Humanitarian). Each participating state restaurantassociation selects winners in their respective states that compete withwinners from other states for the national award.
Joining Madam’s Organ inreceiving the 2009 Restaurant Neighbor Award are: BJ’s Restaurants, headquartered in Huntington Beach, Calif., withlocations nationwide, in the large business category; Rod’s Steak & Seafood Grille in Morristown, N.J., in themid-size business category; and Alex Rayof Common Man Family of Restaurants in Ashland, N.H., in the CornerstoneHumanitarian category.
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Founded in 1919, the NationalRestaurant Association is the leading business association for the restaurantindustry, which is comprised of 945,000 restaurant and foodservice outlets anda work force of 13 million employees. Together with the National RestaurantAssociation Educational Foundation, the Association works to lead