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Health & Fitness

Orlando Family Foundation Checks Help Crisis Nursery, Angels' Arms

Charitable giving from this foundation is more than doubled from last year's gala.

Jan and Sam Orlando, Sr, have been "stars" in the dining and entertainment firmament for 40 years. Their restaurant and lodging brands include Catering by Orlando's; The Orlando Gardens Banquet and Meeting Centers (3); and The Lodge at Grant's Trail.

As a young man hawking fruits and vegetables in North County, Sam met and fell in love with Jan. Together they not only created an empire, but a unique venue for "giving back". This venue, The Orlando Family Foundation, has given away more than $500,000 in its twelve years.

Started by Jan and Sam, Sr, on his 60th birthday as a way to celebrate it AND share their good fortune with the community, they throw a gala event at the end of January each year. The not-for-profit community is invited to "sell" a table to their donors or boards of directors, bid on oral and silent auctions, and be "wined and dined" by the Orlandos. In return, two of the participating charities are picked randomly to receive checks from the proceeds.

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This year, more than fifty tables were sold and this blogger was in attendance. "Glass and beads" was the decorating concept from the creative mind of Sam Orlando, Jr. A beautiful 2 carat topaz necklace (modeled by one of the Orlando grandchildren) and fabulous vacations to Florida were orally auctioned; numerous donated items graced the tables for the silent auction. Five hundred guests had a magical evening of an open bar and five course meal with circus trapeze entertainment.

What a great way to raise money for charities!

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After the gala, the two chosen charities were invited to a private cocktail party. Both charities work with children and coincidentally sometimes work with each other. Saint Louis Crisis Nursery, "saving babies lives and keeping kids safe" with 24 hour care, 365 days/year has been around for 26 years. Angels' Arms has been around for only six years and works with foster children and their foster parents. Angels' Arms operates a network of nine foster homes in St Louis City and St Louis County.

"We strive to keep sibling groups of foster children together," said Beth Wilfong, founder and executive director of Angels' Arms.

Both charities were awarded checks for $36,000.00 on February 29, at the Orlandos' home. The Orlandos also acknowledged the contributions of StepUp! in providing volunteers to help run the gala. The Orlandos also thanked their own staff for making this the most successful gala ever.

If you or your favorite charity would like to participate next year in The Orlando Family Foundation Gala, then "save the date" for January, 26, 2013. See you there!

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