Restaurant Neighbor Award 2008 Finalist
Florida

Arturo's Italian Restaurant
Marco Island, FL

Arturo’s Italian Restaurant co-owner Judy Perez doesn’t think small when it comes to her fundraising endeavors. So it was no surprise when she came up with a grand plan to raise money to benefit five local charities. As a member of the Marco Island Chamber of Commerce’s event committee, Perez brainstormed the idea of a Hollywood-style fundraising event that would benefit more than the typical single charity. In less than six weeks, Arturo rallied community businesses and volunteers to put on the first Dancing with the Starz on Marco event, which raised $125,000. Dancers picked their favorite charities and learned specific dance routines to raise money for the organizations, with winners announced during the big gala. In 2007, the second annual event raised $500,000 to benefit the Upon a Star Foundation, Art League of Marco Island, Youth Haven, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Hospice of Naples & Marco Island and Marco Island Historical Society Museum Fund.

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