Six Restaurants Support Oak Leyden's March Gladness

Oak-Leyden Archives

Oak-Leyden Archives.

Six local restaurants have committed to give a percentage of their daily profits back to Oak Leydon on Thursdays throughout March because they believe in helping people with developmental disabilities meet life’s challenges and reach their highest potential.

Malinski hatched the plan based on her past work experiences and embraces the power of a mutually beneficial relationships. “We are driving people into restaurant seats every Thursday in March,” says Malinski, and we appreciate and respect these restaurants’ commitment to our mission.”

2018 participating restaurants include: Cucina Paradiso, Maya del Sol, Lake Street Kitchen and Bar, Fat Duck Tavern and Grill, Big Guys Charbroiled Sausages, and Oak Park Brewing Company.

In 2017, the March Gladness campaign raised $3, 000 in a single evening for Oak-Leydon’s programs. This year, the organization intends to build on the success of last year by expanding the scope of the event by including multiple dining nights. This year’s event was designed with variety in mind to offer supporters maximum flexibility. The six participating restaurants offer varied cuisine and a few are even offering lunch hours in their give-back windows.

“This dining event creates a buzz and fosters an opportunity for community engagement,” says Bertha Magana, Oak Leydon’s Executive Director, “and no-one has been a bigger champion for March Gladness than the Gambino brothers at Cucina Paradiso.”

Anthony Gambino, co-owner of Cucina Paradiso, is looking forward to welcoming March Gladness diners at his Italian eatery on Thursday, March 1st from 5:00-9:30pm. He and his staff relish in providing great food and service with the added bonus of benefiting Oak-Leyden.

“Cucina Paradiso has been in Oak Park for 23 years and we are part of this small community,” says Gambino, “and when you are part of a community you should give back whenever you can.”

MARCH GLADNESS PARTICPATING RESTAURANTS:

All March Gladness attendees are encouraged to show their support for this delicious dining event on social media by snapping a picture during a meal and tagging the partcipating restaurant and Oak-Leyden in a post.

Cucina Paradiso

814 North Blvd, Oak Park, IL 60301

Thursday, March 1

5PM-9:30PM

Dine-In Only

Maya Del Sol

144 S. Oak Park Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302

Thursday, March 8

4PM-10PM

Lake Street Kitchen + Bar

1101 Lake St, Oak Park, IL 60301

Thursday March 15