For Immediate Release: Event Preview

Italian American Club of Livonia Holds 15th Annual Culinary Extravaganza to Benefit St. Louis Center

The St. Louis Center is a caring residential family, living and learning environment providing for the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of children and adults with developmental disabilities.St. Louis Center is a caring residential family, living and learning environment providing for the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of children and adults with developmental disabilities. Managed by the Servants of Charity congregation, St. Louis Center has been operating in Chelsea since 1960, and is celebrating its 50th Anniversary in 2010. It was built by the Archdiocese of Detroit under the leadership of Archbishop John Francis Dearden. The money raised from this event is earmarked for transportation enhancements for the residents, and annually replaces a high mileage transport van in the fleet with a newer model.

The Culinary Extravaganza takes place after Mass at 1:00 p.m., and is being coordinated for a fourth year by Italian American Club member Shirley Broccardo. Participating restaurants include, Bahama Breeze, Bucca Di Beppo, Charley’s of Northville, Guilio’s Cucina Italiana, Italian American Banquet Center of Livonia, LaBistecca Italian Grill, Little Bangkok Cuisine, One Under Bar and Grill, Romano’s, Macaroni Grill, Roperti’s Turkey Farm, Senate Restaurant, and Station 885.

Participating bakeries include, Dunia Sweets, Mary Dunnings, Looney Baker, and Schakolad Chocolate, while Joe’s Produce is donating fresh fruit, and Carabou Coffee is contributing coffee and hot cider.

The artists from the Verdi Opera Theatre of Michigan are all students at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre and Dance, and will be performing at the invitation of Mr. John Zaretti, President of this area group of opera aficionados. They will be performing arias from Mozart, Puccini, Leoncavallo, and Verdi, and the musicians are looking forward again to their performance. Veteran IACL performers include Jonathan Christopher who was born in Bermuda and grew up in Massachusetts, and Alexandria Clark from Walled Lake. John Beresford, a skilled pianist and U of M student from Northville, will accompany the vocalists on a grand piano acquired from Evola Music.

Fr. Enzo Addari, SdC., Administrator of St. Louis Center and Chaplain of the Italian American Club of Livonia, discussed the importance of the restaurants and artists who are contributing their resources and talents to assist his special needs residents. “Their involvement and sharing of our mission empowers us to achieve the responsibilities that God has entrusted to us. We can discover Him more closely through the work that we do for these children. On a more personal level, the friendships that we have with our club members, is one of the most cherished treasures that we have within the local community”.

Dinner tickets are available through the Italian American Club of Livonia and are $50 each, with tables of 10 at $500. Strolling minstrels will also serenade guests during the Culinary Extravaganza. To order tickets, Contact Gianna Prokop at (866) 990-IABC ext. #2, or contact PR Director Joseph Yekulis at St. Louis Center (734) 475-8430 for more information.