TO LENORE ARONS, BREAST CANCER IS NOT just about women, but men too, and it is a personal issue. In the middle of her own treatment she has selflessly put her time and energy into orchestrating a grand-scale fundraising event for the second year. On sequential nights through June, 25 Brooklyn restaurants — almost all the participants from last year, plus several more — will donate a percentage of an evening’s receipts to the cause. Another 10 restaurants have helped, as they are able, by donating gift certificates.
Despite her intensive coordinating effort, Arons attributes the real generosity to the “very community minded” restaurants involved, the ultimate givers of the cash in a difficult economic climate. Through their participation, both diners and restaurant owners will help to spread awareness, celebrate hope and healing, and unite the community around a cause that resonates with so many people. Participating restaurants are located in Park Slope, Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill and Fort Greene. Arons hopes to top last year’s total contribution of almost $5,000 to the Avon Foundation’s Walk for Breast Cancer. On October 4 and 5, she will walk for the fourth time with thousands of others in the two-day, 39.3-mile walk in New York. Last year’s Avon event was poignant for Arons as it was the first since her diagnosis, and the first time she entered the closing ceremonies as a survivor. Two weeks ago she also completed the Avon walk in Boston. The walks help the Avon Foundation to fund breast cancer research and education, to screen and diagnose, and provide treatment and support services.
“This is a very special event in which restaurants and their diners join together as lovers of good food and lovers of good causes,” Arons said. Look for her in her emblematic pink shirt — she’ll be at every restaurant greeting and thanking guests, as she loves to do.
(See list of participating restaurants and the dates they will donate, below.) You can also support the fight against breast cancer by purchasing a gift certificate donated by the following restaurants: Al Di La, Applewood, Chestnut, Grimaldi’s Pizzeria, Long Tan, Noodle Pudding, Po, Stone Park Café, 12th Street Bar & Grill and Two Boots. To purchase a gift certificate, to make an individual donation, or for information about the Avon Walk, please contact Lenore at walkingwithlenore@att.net. More info is available at www.diningoutforacure.com.
EVENT:
IN A SHORT AND SWEET CEREMONY at the Brooklyn Borough Hall Green Market on Tuesday, Borough President MARTY MARKOWITZ, with ELIZABETH BROAD, deputy director of Earth Day New York, and Council Members Gale Brewer and Simcha Felder reminded a crowd to grab a reusable bag before heading to the store or market. “Shop locally, but when you do, use a non-plastic bag like this one,” said Brewer, introducing the free canvas bags being distributed around the city as part of the citywide “My Green New York” project. LaGuardia High School students designed the “green”-themed bags. In all, “My Green New York” will distribute 5,000 free canvas bags in neighborhoods across NYC.
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The Brooklyn Women’s Chorus, founded by Park Slope resident BEV GRANT, will tell the story of women in the American labor movement through their performance of “We Were There,” on June 13. Grant says the work is inspired by Harriet Tubman and Sojourner Truth, who organized their people for freedom, and the brave women of today who work for healthy working conditions and fair wages. The 11-year-old choir brings together women of many different levels of musical experience and uses music to express their collective belief in social justice.
HONOREE BED-STUY RESIDENT CLAY EVANS is an established artist who has shared his skills, time and care to philanthropic community organizations in Brooklyn for 19 years. Over the years, he has contributed to Children of the Arts, Interfaith Neighbors and Working Playground. Evans currently works closely with Arts Horizons, where he has just been named director of the new LeRoy Neiman Center, opening June 17 in Harlem. The center will be the first permanent home for the organization, where young students will have access to after school education classes in painting, computer animation and photography.
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WHEN THE BROOKLYN BAR ASSOCIATION (BBA) celebrates 18 years of providing pro bono legal services to the Brooklyn community through its Volunteer Lawyers Project (VLP), William F. Kuntz, II will be honored for his long-time commitment to public service. A few highlights from Kuntz’s extensive resume are his involvement on the board of The Legal Aid Society of NY, the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights, the Federal Bar Foundation for the Second Circuit and the Brooklyn Hospital Center. He is also VP of the NYC Bar Association and the longest standing board member of the Civilian Complaint Review Board. Kuntz is a partner at Baker & Hostetler, LLP.
Also being honored at the June 5 gala are retiring VLP Board Members Mark A. Longo, a member of the original founders committee, and Barton L. Slavin, past president of the BBA.
Participating Restaurants
June 2 – Bogota Latin Bistro, 141 Fifth Ave.
June 3 – Palo Santo, 652 Union St.
June 4 – Saul, 140 Smith St.
June 5 – Aunt Suzie’s, 247 5th Ave.
June 6 – Chez Lola, 387 Myrtle Ave.
June 7 – Lunetta, 116 Smith St.
June 9 – Rosewater, 787 Union St.
June 10 – Sette Enoteca e Cucina, 207 7th Ave.
June 11 – Ici, 246 DeKalb Ave.
June 12 – Bonnie’s Grill*, 278 5th Ave.
June 13 – Loulou, 222 DeKalb Ave.
June 16 – Flatbush Farm*, 76 St. Marks Ave.
June 17 – Lobo, 188 Fifth Ave.
June 18 – Lobo*, 218 Court St.
June 19 – Bocca Lupo, 391 Henry St.
June 20 – Blue Ribbon, 280 5th Ave.
June 21 – Provence en Boite*, 263 Smith St.
June 23 – 200 Fifth, 200 Fifth Ave.
June 24 – Babouche, 163 Fifth Ave.
June 25 – No No Kitchen, 293 Seventh Ave.
June 26 – Miriam, 79 Fifth Ave.
June 26 – Miriam, 229 Court St.
June 27 – The Chocolate Room, 86 Fifth Ave.
June 29 – Santa Fe Grill, 62 Seventh Ave.
June 30 – Beast, 638 Bergen St.
* serving lunch/brunch, too
