Carino's

The end of a year always seems to come sooner than expected.  As usual, I am both proud and humbled as I reflect on all the Carino's Foundation has accomplished.  From the Gold Stirrup horse show at the Star of Texas Rodeo to supporting our own Carino's family in Joplin, we have been privileged to partner with some incredible organizations.

Continuing our efforts to better the lives of youth in our community, we were the presenting sponsor of the 10th annual Help Clifford Help Kids concert event last month, featuring musician Bob Schneider. This concert gala benefits American Youthworks, which helps transform the lives of at-risk youth through education, job training and services.  The event was started by Clifford Antone, owner of the legendary Antone's live music venue in Austin, and has become American Youthworks' largest fundraiser of the year.  Although Clifford Antone is no longer with us, his charitable spirit and passion lives on with this important event that changes the path for many young lives.

To reinforce our giving culture throughout the Carino's organization, the staff at our Restaurant Support Center in Austin, Texas participated in a pre-holiday food drive for the Capital Area Food Bank.  Dividing up into teams, we competed to see which team could bring in the most pounds of food.  High stakes were on the line as the losing team would be responsible for cooking lunch for the winning team.  To raise the stakes, the Carino's Foundation pledged to give $1 to the CAFB for every pound of food donated.  The spirit of competition took hold, much trash-talking ensued, and soon our office lobby was taken over by a mountain of canned and boxed goods.  When all was weighed and loaded onto the truck, it was grand total of 5,464 pounds!  Even the losing team can feel good about participating in such a successful effort, and I loved writing that check to CAFB, ensuring a better Christmas for many central Texas families.

Our restaurants also got into the holiday giving spirit.  All 11 of the Dallas/Ft. Worth area locations hosted an Angel Tree, allowing staff members and customers to provide a happy Christmas to a needy family in their area.  Many restaurants also supported local fundraisers, charity events and toy drives.  A Carino's in south Austin donated dinner to Blue Santa volunteers who were busily sorting all the toy donations.

It is wonderful to see our staff come together like this and embrace a spirit of giving.  That was always my vision for this Foundation - that we could make a positive impact on our community and instill a culture of giving throughout the company.  As we bring 2011 to a close and look forward to another great year in 2012, I am prouder than ever of my Carino's family.

Sincerely,

Creed Ford III
President, Carino's Foundation
President and CEO, Carino's Italian

Thanks to the generous supporters of our annual Carino's Foundation golf tournament in October, our efforts to help children and families in the communities we serve will continue through 2012.  We hosted our sponsors for a pre-tournament dinner and casino night, giving us an opportunity to express our thanks for their support and show how their contributions have been used to positively affect many lives.  Traci Whitney from Autism Speaks moved all of us when she shared her family's story and offered her personal gratitude for our support of both Autism Speaks and Autism Society.  I, too, am thankful to each of our tournament sponsors for enabling us to assist so many families just like Traci's.  Special thanks go to our 2011 title sponsors:  Tyson, DMA, National Food and Beverage, Maple Leaf and the Hyatt Lost Pines Resort.  We literally could not do this without you.  But 2011 isn't over yet, and the Foundation has been busy.

Partnering with popular syndicated radio show host Kidd Kraddick, 46 of our Carino's locations participated in a fundraiser for Kraddick's own organization "Kidd's Kids." Through this organization, Kidd Kraddick sends terminally and chronically ill children and their families on a dream trip to Disney World.  The passion Kraddick has for these children is contagious and we were impressed by how he mobilizes his fans to support this worthy cause.  His listeners and our customers rallied and came out in force on November 3rd, when 10% of net sales were donated back to Kidd's Kids.  Over $15,000 was raised by the fundraiser alone, and the Carino's Foundation contributed an additional $5,000, for a grand total over $20,000.  To put that in perspective, that is enough to send four additional families on a much deserved vacation, free from worry and stress.  

This is the time of year for giving thanks and for giving.  I am definitely thankful for being able to give all year long, and I appreciate all of those who help enable us to do what we love to do.

Sincerely,

Creed Ford III
President, Carino's Foundation
President and CEO, Carino's Italian

As we prepare for our upcoming annual golf tournament fundraiser, the Carino's Foundation has continued our efforts to improve the lives of families living in the areas we serve.  Recently Carino's Italian sponsored "Shirt Off the Back Night" at a Round Rock Express minor league baseball game.  We invited Autism Speaks to join us for this special night and be the beneficiary of Shirt Off the Back raffle sales.  Raising over $4,000 for Autism Speaks, eager baseball fans lined up to purchase raffle tickets for a chance to win a Round Rock Express autographed player's jersey.  The Carino's Foundation also presented a $25,000 check to Autism Speaks, generated from the fundraising promotion during April's Autism Awareness Month when the Carino's Foundation donated $1 for every Pasta Harvest entrée sold at Carino's Italian.

In addition to the raffle and check presentation, Autism Speaks brought along many kids and families to participate in the evening's activities, including throwing out the ceremonial first pitch, being "baseball buddies" with the players during the national anthem, and even leading the entire stadium in singing "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" in the seventh inning.  The kids from Autism Speaks had a great time and Carino's Italian is proud to partner with this outstanding organization.

While a good time was had at the ballpark on September 3rd, it was immediately followed by concern for our neighbors all across Texas as wildfires broke out in numerous areas on Labor Day weekend.  We were all shocked by images of the devastation in Bastrop, Texas, just a short distance from our restaurants and corporate headquarters in Austin.  Carino's Italian has remained committed to standing with our neighbors and supporting them in their time of need.  Several of our Austin-area team members were privileged to deliver a hot meal to 200 evacuees in Bastrop in early September, and we returned last week to feed Bastrop County staff, first responders and volunteers at the Bastrop Convention Center.  These experiences are always humbling and we are thankful to be in a position to lend a helping hand.

Once again, I thank our loyal customers and Carino's Foundation supporters for enabling us to help make a difference.

Sincerely,

Creed Ford III
President, Carino's Foundation
President and CEO, Carino's Italian

Wednesday marked a somber milestone: the one month anniversary of the Joplin tornado.  We have watched this town rally to support one another and many across the country have donated money towards recovery efforts.  Some have even traveled great distances to give their time and talents.  As Carino's has continued our efforts to feed victims and volunteers, we have been humbled by their words of gratitude.  One of our team members from Texas, Stacy Acosta, recently visited Joplin to support our local management team and help coordinate their food donations.  She is pictured below, along with Justin Edie, General Manager of Carino's in Joplin, at our Red Cross check presentation.  Stacy and Justin shared with us how the people of Joplin are truly grateful and touched by the outpouring of support for their community, and we are honored to be a part of that effort.

However, debris is still being cleared, businesses remain closed, people are without homes, and families continue to grieve.  So much work remains here and the scope of it is staggering.  We ask you to join us by lending your support to aid organizations actively working in Joplin and other communities devastated this year by tornados, storms and flooding. There are many to choose from, here are just a few:

• American Red Cross or text REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10
• Salvation Army or text JOPLIN to 80888 to donate $10
• Convoy of Hope or text CONVOY to 50555 to donate $10

Also at the top of our minds are the wildfires burning near many of our Carino's communities, and the continued threat of more fires.  We are reminded of our amazing firefighters who work to protect all of us.  Carino's managers in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area recently had the pleasure of meeting with Fire Chief Rick Lasky of Lewisville, TX.  Our team was so inspired by Chief Lasky that they quickly organized a "Feed the Fireman" day to honor these local heroes.  On Wednesday each of our 11 DFW Carino's locations delivered a delicious catered lunch to a nearby fire station.  A great time was had by all who participated and it was a rewarding experience for our staff.  I am immensely proud of the initiative taken by our managers and staff, and especially want to thank our DFW area director, Sunny Darden, and the area marketing coordinator, Kerry Murray, for spearheading this effort.  You are great examples of what Carino's is all about.

Sincerely,

Creed Ford III
President, Carino's Foundation
President and CEO, Carino's Italian

Carino's Foundation presented a $10,000 check to the American Red Cross. Pictured left to right: Kathy Dennis, Americorps; Justin Edie, GM Carino's Joplin; Julie Frank, Joplin Red Cross; Stacy Acosta, Carino's Catering Manager.

Our Carino's staff had a great time visiting a nearby fire station in Irving, TX. 

This week has been one of great sadness, mixed with great relief.  As we learned of the devastating tornado that struck Joplin, our immediate concern was for the welfare of our staff.  The local management team did a phenomenal job of immediately contacting each and every member of our Carino's family to determine if they were safe and well.  We were relieved to learn that all of our valued employees and their families were safe indeed.  That relief is tempered by news of the staggering loss of life in the community, as well as knowledge that some of our staff members are among those who lost their homes.

Carino's was also fortunate to escape damage to our restaurant, enabling us to reopen our doors quickly to begin serving our customers, aid in the relief efforts and put our staff members back to work in a way that enables them to contribute in a meaningful way.  Our managers and staff are busy identifying and coordinating with groups of volunteers and victims who are in need of hot meals.  They are committed to delivering food to any of the first responders and shelters who need assistance.

We are also hosting "family meals" twice a day for our employees and their families who have been directly affected by the storm.  Through the generosity of Carino's employees from all across the United States, we are also able to offer assistance to meet the immediate financial needs of those employees through the Carino's Family Fund.  The Carino's Family Fund is a 501(c)3 established to provide support to Carino's staff and their family members in times of personal crisis.  Employees wishing to donate or to apply for assistance should contact a member of their management team.

In keeping with the mission of the Carino's Foundation to positively impact the lives of children and families in a time of crisis, we are pleased to announce a $10,000 donation to the American Red Cross.  We hope you will join us in this effort.  If you are searching for a way to help, monetary donations are the most needed.  Here are a few simple ways to give:

American Red Cross:  www.redcross.org or text REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10.
Salvation Army:  www.salvationarmyusa.org or text JOPLIN to 80888 to donate $10.
Convoy of Hope:  www.convoyofhope.org or text CONVOY to 50555 to donate $10.

Our thoughts and prayers will continue to go out to the entire Joplin community, as well as communities in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Alabama and others who have suffered through devastating storms and flooding this year.  Carino's stands with you, shoulder-to-shoulder, during this time of grief and recovery.

Sincerely,

Creed Ford III
President, Carino's Foundation
President and CEO, Carino's Italian

Thank you for helping us to help others!  As part of Autism Awareness Month, we took on the challenge to sell 50,000 Pasta Harvest entrées during April in order to raise a $50,000 donation to support individuals and families affected by autism.  We asked you to help us achieve this goal, and you answered wholeheartedly.  Through the support of our loyal guests, we are thrilled to present Autism Speaks and Autism Society each with a $25,000 check to support their important efforts.  We love giving back to the communities we serve, and of course we could not do all this without our customers.

The Carino's Foundation will continue to stay busy this spring.  Today we are proud to sponsor the Carino's Clays for Kids skeet shooting tournament, benefiting First Tee of Greater Austin.  First Tee is a youth development organization that provides young people with educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values, and promote healthy choices through the game of golf.  On May 2nd, we'll help with the Hunger Busters Golf Classic in Dallas, supporting their "Feed the Need" program to provide an important third meal to kids who otherwise might not eat while away from the school's free lunch program. 

Our local restaurants are also active in communities all across the country, hosting benefit nights for local schools and other organizations.  If you're in the Boise/Meridian area on May 10th, stop by either of our locations for dinner and help us raise funds for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.  Be sure to follow us on Facebook to stay up to date on all things Carino's, including any benefit nights at your favorite Carino's location.

I hope you feel as good as I do to know that when you dine at Carino's Italian, you get more than delicious and unique Italian cuisine - you help empower us to be a good corporate citizen in your community.  On behalf of all of us in the Carino's Italian family, I truly thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

Creed Ford III
President, Carino's Foundation
President and CEO, Carino's Italian

The Carino's Foundation had a busy month in March with the Gold Stirrup Horse Show, presented in conjunction with the Star of Texas Fair & Rodeo in Austin, Texas.  Held on March 13th, this was the third year for Carino's to sponsor this special rodeo event for equestrians with physical and cognitive disabilities.  In 2009, the show had 32 participants.  This year? Sixty-eight riders and over 220 class entries!  I appreciate the support of our corporate office staff that helped at the event, and even raised some of their own money to provide lunch for the participants in the Carino's Hospitality stall.  A special note of appreciation is extended to our own Janine Hess, who once again served as co-chair of the Gold Stirrup Horse Show.  Check out photos from the event, and congratulations to all the riders!

Moving into April, we shift our attention to Autism Awareness Month.  Did you know, according to the latest Centers for Disease Control study, that 1 in 110 children in the United States suffer from autism?  For boys, that number may be as high as 1 in 70.  This is clearly a growing concern for many families in the communities we serve, and Carino's is committed to supporting these families.  On April 1st, Carino's will embark on two campaigns for Autism Awareness Month.

First, we will support general awareness by turning our website blue in support of Autism Speaks' "Light It Up Blue" campaign.  Second, and most exciting, we have set a goal to sell 50,000 Pasta Harvest entrees during April in order to raise a $50,000 donation to support individuals and families affected by autism.  The donation will be divided equally between two great organizations devoted to autism research, education, early detection, and many more worthwhile and much-needed efforts: Autism Speaks and Autism Society.  We are proud to partner with both of these organizations who are each doing great and important work.

I ask you to join with us in these efforts.  Come in this month for all-you-can-eat Pasta Harvest, and know that you will not only have a delicious meal, but also contribute to a worthy cause.

Sincerely,

Creed Ford III
President, Carino's Foundation
President and CEO, Carino's Italian

Oh, how time flies… last month I was reflecting on just how far the Carino’s Foundation has come. It’s been eleven years since the Carino’s Foundation was founded. We started with a simple mission: To provide support to charitable organizations assisting children and families in crisis through immediate and direct relief. And I’m proud to say that our mission continues today. As we always do, we celebrated with our annual Vendor Appreciation event, which was held at the Lost Pines Resort just outside Austin. It was a great two days with our annual scramble golf tournament, and our award presentation and dinner. This event is our way of thanking our vendors from the superior service they bring to our partnership, as well for their continued support in the Carino’s Foundation and it’s mission.

Each year we present a Vendor-of-the-Year Award to the vendor who not only provides excellent service, but that goes above and beyond in bringing innovative ideas to our restaurants and areas of food distribution. This years’ recipient was Ben E. Keith Company (BEK). Chris Lewis accepted the award on behalf of the company. BEK has been with Carino’s from the very beginning and their partnership has continued in our restaurants and with our Foundation.

It wasn’t all smiles this year for the Carino’s family; long-time Senior Executive and my personal friend, Mike Parsons passed away after an 18-month battle with cancer. To honor Mike and his contribution to Carino’s, the Carino’s Foundation has established the Mike Parsons Wellness Center located at Marbridge Ranch in their new Victory Fitness Center.  Marbridge provides a unique spectrum of residential care, education, and training for adults with various cognitive challenges (www.marbridge.org). This organization and its mission was particularly important to Mike and we are proud to honor him in this way.

Since its inception in 1999 the Carino’s Foundation has raised over $2 million and made contributions to numerous charities including but not limited to, Parent Project for Muscular Dystrophy, Capital Area Food Bank, American Youth Works, Limbs for Life, Marbridge, the Ronald McDonald House and more.

2011 is going to be an exciting year for the Foundation with renewed focus and energy and we invite you to join us along the way and share the journey. Together with our Carino’s Italian restaurants and you, our guests, we can continue to make a difference in our communities. Check back here for more updates, pictures and discussions from our ongoing efforts. 

Giving is fun,

Creed Ford III
President, Carino’s Foundation
President and CEO Carino’s

By the time the dust settled at the 2nd Annual Gold Stirrup Horse Show March 14, about 60 special horseback riders went home tired, happy and proud, after proving that just because you might have a disability, that doesn’t mean you’re handicapped in life.

The horse show for equestrians with cognitive or physical disabilities was sponsored for the second year in a row by Carino’s Italian restaurants/The Carino’s Foundation, and was held in conjunction with the annual Star of Texas Fair & Rodeo here in Austin, Texas. 

In 2009, there were about 32 exhibitors from three Central Texas riding groups, but this year, that number nearly doubled with participants from Austin, Manor, Leander, Georgetown, Manchaca, San Marcos and Baytown.

Mid-way through the day, the riding clubs assembled in the arena and one of the teen-aged participants sang the National Anthem ---- from her wheelchair.  The Gold Club top group award went to Marbridge Equestrian Team of Manchaca, a special-needs living and learning facility for adults with cognitive challenges. Marbridge is also one of the long-time beneficiaries of The Carino’s Foundation.

The horses used in the events are usually involved in daily or weekly riding activities, and many are privately owned, or ‘loaners,’ from owners involved with the special riding programs. The horses themselves vary widely in breed, style and age.

In fact, one horse used by Marbridge was one of ‘mine’ -- a Spanish mustang . After attending the Miss Rodeo Austin coronation (also sponsored by Carino’s), I stopped by to watch the afternoon action at the horse show, and got to see “Spirit” do his thing. Apparently, he did well, because he really took care of his riders and even won a blue ribbon or two.

Those of us watching the action from the sidelines saw a few special moments. For instance, one 10-year-old girl blew a kiss from horseback to her parents in the stands, as she rode past them. Another rider tumbled to the dirt after her horse shied away from something. Brushing off her show-ring attire, she said she was OK --- but her horse ‘was just a little uptight.’  How’s that for resilience?  

It was nice to see several Carino’s employees with family members and friends volunteering throughout the day; one of our home-office employees was also co-chairman of the show.

This event is just one of many worthwhile activities and sponsorships made possible by donations raised at our Carino’s Charity Golf Tournament, sponsored annually by The Carino’s Foundation. This year, golfers will tee-off at an Austin-area location on Oct. 13th.  More details to come!

Sincerely,

Creed Ford III

As we were walking off the 18th green, I had a sense of joy come over me knowing that we just completed the 11th Annual Carino’s Foundation Charity Golf Classic raising $225,000 for various charities throughout our restaurant markets. The participation was encouraging considering the economy and the pressure companies and individuals are under to tighten their expenses. The weather was perfect, the course and the scenery were incredible and we all had a great time.

The night before the tournament we were honored to hear from three of the charities we sponsor through the Carino’s Foundation. Jana Kay, Head of Training and Development at Marbridge Foundation, spoke about their equine program for special need residents at Marbridge. The funding from our charity created the Golden Stirrup Event for special needs equine riders throughout the state, held for the first time at the Star of Texas Rodeo in Austin last year.

Later in the evening, Kent Burress spoke about the Carino’s Family Room at the Austin Ronald McDonald House, made possible by donations from the Carino’s Foundation. The Carino’s Family Room provides a warming space for families while their children are being treated at Dell’s Children’s Hospital.

Finally, James Poysky talked about another of our beneficiaries, the Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD), working for the cure for Duchenne. As you read in earlier posts, we honored Zack Stark by dedicating this year’s tournament in his name. James spoke of Zack who passed away this September at age 22 from Duchenne. Zack was an inspiration to all of us; his love for life, his passion for painting and his support for other boys struggling with the disease were truly incredible. James also shared his personal story of dealing with Duchenne in his family when they found out their young son had Duchenne at the age of two. He gave us an update of the ways PPMD is working with groups to find cures and how they best utilize their resources in the fight against Duchenne.



Along with the celebration of giving, we also honored our vendors by presenting the Vendor of the Year Award to National Food & Beverage. Aaron Edelen accepted the award, along with Johnny Lee Stanley, for National Food & Beverage who provides Carino’s seasoned oil and garlic.

Our vendors are true partners in our mission to provide the best Italian cuisine possible.

To all our vendors, charities, staff and guests, thank you for making this event a true success