Cape Cod Restaurant Community Unites to Raise Funds

Money raised will help two colleagues severely injured in two separate car accidents this summers

BARNSTABLE - On Tuesday, October 3, over a dozen local restaurants and food purveyors will join forces to raise funds for two colleagues who were severely injured in separate car accidents this summer. For a donation of $50 attendees will be able to sample offerings from some of the Capeâ??s top food producers at Mattakeese Wharf on Barnstable Harbor. The evening, which will run from 6:00-9:00 PM, will also include live entertainment by Dave McCoy, a raw bar, a silent auction, and a cash bar. All proceeds will benefit Chhodah Lama and Chewang Rinchen Lama. Both men are full-time employees at Cape Cod Organic Farm in Barnstable and Cummaquid.

The fundraising event was conceived by Paul and Laurie Venditti, general managers of Mattakeese Wharf, and Tim Friary, proprietor of Cape Cod Organic Farm. According to Paul Venditti, the staff at Mattakeese Wharf was quick to respond. â??The day after Chhodha Lama was hit by a hit-and-run driver, our employees set up a fund to help him with his expenses. Customers who read about the accident in the newspaper also asked how they could help. Within a few weeks we collected several hundred dollars and many donated items for a drawing and silent auction.â?�

"Almost every restaurant that we supply vegetables to has asked me how they can help raise money for the Lamas." - Tim Friary

Many of the restaurants donating goods and services purchase produce from Cape Cod Organic Farm where both men work. Friary noted, "I've been overwhelmed by the response from my customers. Almost every restaurant that we supply vegetables to has asked me how they can help raise money for the Lamas. With the money we raise from this event we're hoping to cover the costs for their care and rehabilitation since they've left the hospital."

Restaurants participating in the fundraiser include: 902 Main, Brewster Fish House, Inaho, Lâ??Alouette Bistro, Mattakeese Wharf, Naked Oyster, The Old Yarmouth Inn, The Red Pheasant, and The Wicked Oyster. The raw bar and shucking services are being donated by Barnstable Sea Farms, Beach Point Oysters, and Great Marsh Sea Farms. Desserts are being donated by Creative Baking Company, Kayak Cookies, and Paul Marks, Inc. Pain Dâ??Avignon is supplying all the bread.

Over 50 items have been donated for the drawing and silent auction, including many gift certificates to local restaurants, fishing trips, golf bags, and jewelry.

Tickets for the fundraiser, which are $50 each, can be purchased at Mattakeese Wharf (508-362-4511), the Lamb & Lion Bed & Breakfast in West Barnstable (508-362-6823), Puritan Clothing in Hyannis (775-2400), The Old Yarmouth Inn (508-362-9962), and The Wine List in Hyannis (508-771-9463).

Visit the Mattakeese Wharf Restaurant website here.
Links to many of the fine restaurants listed above may be found in our dining section here.