As a means of bringing back holiday parties, Stonefire Grill launched a Facebook contest seeking the most deserving company, family or neighborhood to win a free, fully catered party for up to 100 guests. andldquo;From the scores of submissions we received, there was no way we could chose only one story,andrdquo; said Justin Lopez, community relations director of Stonefire Grill. andldquo;We are pleased to announce our top 7!andrdquo;
Winners include:
andmiddot; Nicole Kosoffandmdash;Woodland Hills:
A 16-year-old high school student who organizes friends and volunteers to sew pajamas for kids living in homeless shelters.
andmiddot; Carole Davisandmdash;Huntington Beach:
She throws a New Yearandrsquo;s Eve party for senior citizens at Rodgers Senior Center, many of whom are alone for the holidays.
andmiddot; Judy Diamondandmdash;Northridge:
Her tenant tirelessly volunteers at the Van Nuys Rescue Mission and she wants to surprise him with the gift!
andmiddot; Brittany Chin-Leeandmdash;Malibu:
This college student works at the Student Activities Center at Pepperdine University, she organizes a meal for a group of students who arenandrsquo;t able to go home for the holidays. This year she will have Stonefire Grill!
andmiddot; Catherine Virolaandmdash;Canoga Park:
She works at a center that helps developmentally disabled young adults who heavily rely on the staff. Catherine will host a party for all of her co-workers!
andmiddot; Gretchen Haener-Calderoneandmdash;Porter Ranch:
Last year, 60 carolers surprised Gretchenandrsquo;s father, who watched his wife of 59 years pass away 2 years ago. This year she will surprise the singers with the catered party as a thank you!
andmiddot; Cathy Gonzalez-Pasquinelliandmdash;Cypress:
Her children attend an elementary in Cypress where a few of their classmates have fallen on hard times including a 2nd grader battling cancer and a 1st grader whose home burned down. Cathy plans to surprise those 2 kids and several others in need of a great Christmas!
Lopez said that $13,000 in gift cards will be presented to other finalists who submitted entries.
Stonefire Grill, a leader in the fast-casual genre with 7 locations to date, was established in 2000 by sisters Mary and Maureen Harrigan as an homage to their family dinners where delicious food and spirited conversation were served up nightly. All items on the menu are available andldquo;to goandrdquo; and each restaurant is even designed with a special entrance dedicated to takeout — the modern motherandrsquo;s version of providing a wholesome, delicious meal for her family. Locations are in Valencia, West Hills, Fountain Valley, Irvine, Chatsworth, Pasadena and Thousand Oaks.