Philanthropy

Alison Corke is at the forefront of our philanthropic efforts. Alison's commitment to philanthropy stems from her vast experience with various charities here in the U.S. and abroad in her native England. She has seen first hand the many benefits brought upon the communities she has touched. As she explains: "Helping the less fortunate is really a way to strengthen our community."

June/July :: Institute for Myeloma & Bone Cancer Research

For the months of June & July, we will be fundraising for The Institute for Myeloma & Bone Cancer Research. We are undertaking this campaign for the greatest of reasons. One of our dearest and most treasured friends, Martin Bristow, died from Myeloma in the summer of 2006 and we are dedicating this campaign to his memory.



Alison had known him for many years before she met Tony but he and Tony became fast friends very quickly, both sharing a love of creativity, Tony with his food and Martin with plants, flowers and shrubs. A gardener "extraordinaire", he brought so much pleasure to so many people creating gorgeous, colorful and sweet smelling gardens in Sussex, England.

Martin was diagnosed with Myeloma literally hours before he was to leave England for a much wanted vacation in Southern California. He was looking forward to revisiting an area that held fond memories for him and also to seeing our new home and our new restaurant, Chaparosa Grill in Plaza de la Paz. Sadly it was not to be.

A few months later, Alison returned to England to visit her father who was very ill and, whilst there, she spent 4 very precious days with Martin and his wife, Valerie. It would be the last time that they would see each other. Just weeks after Alison returned to California, Martin was admitted to hospital for a stem cell transplant. He died in hospital about 10 days after the transplant.

We are both so proud to have counted Martin as one of our closest and most loved friends and are launching this appeal in his name not only to raise funds for research and treatment but also to increase public awareness of this terrible form of cancer. Too little is known about it and too few people are aware of it. We are hoping to change this.

For more information on Myeloma and Bone Cancer Research, please visit them online at: www.imbcr.org

We have decided to hold a Bone Marrow Drive in conjunction with the National Marrow Donor Program. We are encouraging all our staff, friends and customers to join in this program in the hope that one or more of us will help save a life. We are all so fortunate and this is such a small way to say thank you for all that we have and enjoy. There is only one National Registry and this is it. It is so easy to join the Registry. All you have to do is show up at one of our two locations listed below during the times shown, fill in a form, make a small donation and provide a cheek cell sample using a swab provided. It will only take 10 minutes of your time. In return, we will give everyone who makes the effort to join this program a Gift Certificate that can be used at any of our restaurants. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. PLEASE HELP US TO HELP OTHERS BY JOINING THIS AMAZING PROGRAM.

National Marrow Donor Schedule

Saturday July 28th 12 noon until 6pm
Chaparosa Grill
The District at Tustin Legacy
2449 Park Avenue
Tustin CA 92872
Jamboree and Barranca
714-259-9888

Sunday July 29th 10 am until 2 pm
Chaparosa Grill
Marina Hills, Laguna Heights Marketplace
30271 Golden Lantern, #D
Laguna Niguel CA 92677
Golden Lantern and Marina Hills
949-363-9888
www.marrow.org   www.nmdp.org

August/September :: Assistance League of Saddleback Valley

ASSISTANCE LEAGUE® of Saddleback Valley is a non-profit volunteer organization that puts caring and commitment into action by providing services to children, families and the elderly in Saddleback Valley, California.

For more information on the Assistance League of Saddleback Valley, please visit them online at: www.alsvca.org

October/November :: The Sumba Foundation

The Sumba Foundation is a private, nonprofit, nongovernmental organization that is dedicated to helping the indigenous people of Sumba by improving the quality of their lives through better health and education, and by providing suitable employment opportunities, a key component in achieving their long term goal of lessening the oppressive impacts of poverty. Poverty means more than simply not having enough money. Above all, it means not having the opportunity to make a better life for the future. The Sumba Foundation aims to be a force for positive change and to give the people much needed hope for a better future. The Sumba Foundation is located in Laguna Hills, CA.

For more information on the Sumba Foundation, please visit them online at: www.sumbafoundation.org

December/January :: Toby's House

Toby’s House embraces pregnant women in crisis, providing a safe, supportive home for them and their young children. They do this by promoting vocational and spiritual advancement through counseling, education, prayer and a life-based value system that empowers them to become confident, contributing community members.

For more information on Toby's House, please visit them online at: www.tobyshouse.com