MEMBER NEWS
8
2017 Issue 1 | THE SCORE
MEMBER NEWS
Diversified Restaurant Holdings Hosts EWRF to Help Child Battling Leukemia
On Nov . 16 , a Buffalo Wild Wings ® in Birch Run , Michigan , hosted an Eat Wings Raise Funds event to help a local 11-year-old boy battling leukemia . Xavier was diagnosed with A . L . L . in August 2016 , and is currently scheduled to undergo three years of treatments at Motts Children ’ s Hospital in Ann Arbor .
Marshall Greene Middle School approached the restaurant in early November looking to hold a fundraiser .
Xavier and his mother Skyped into the Eat Wings Raise Funds event to announce to family and friends that Natalia , Xavier ’ s 9-year-old sister , is able to make a bone marrow donation .
“ We have a strong relationship with Marshall Greene Middle School , so we were extremely excited to take part in this cause ,” said Mark Ansley , director of operations for Diversified Restaurant Holdings Inc ., which owns the Birch Run B-Dubs ® location .
Wingin ’ It , LLC Helps Send Tupelo High School Band to President Trump ’ s Inaugural Parade
On Jan . 11 , a Buffalo Wild Wings ® in
Tupelo , Mississippi , hosted an Eat Wings Raise Funds event for the Tupelo High School Band . The band was one of three high school bands across the nation invited to participate in President Donald Trump ’ s Inaugural Parade .
The 220-member band had three and a half weeks to raise $ 110,000 for the trip to Washington , D . C .
“ We knew this was a huge deal for Tupelo – not only the school but the city , too ,” said Leslie Nabors , marketing manager with Wingin ’ It , LLC , which hosted the event . “ This happens once in a lifetime for a lot of these kids , so we knew we had to help .”
The restaurant donated 15 percent of all sales during a given time to Marshall Greene Middle School . The school was able to present $ 380 to Xavier ’ s family to help with his battle .
During the event , Xavier and his mother Skyped the restaurant , and the video feed was displayed through the restaurant TVs . The duo announced that Xavier ’ s younger sister , Natalia , was determined to be a match as a bone marrow donor .
“ Everyone was shocked and applauding ,” said Ansley . “ The atmosphere was magical and everyone in the restaurant was overjoyed that he found a match . The family was aware ahead of time , however the friends and classmates that were present at the event to support him were not .”
According to the UCSF Benioff Children ’ s Hospital , there is a one in four chance that a sibling will be a match for a bone marrow transplant . This compares to a 1 in 200 chance for a parent or a one in a million chance of an unrelated individual to be a match .
“ On behalf of the entire Buffalo Wild Wings team , we are grateful that we were able to help Xavier and his family through this hardship that they have
The Tupelo High School Band was one of three high school bands across the nation that was invited to participate in President Trump ’ s Inaugural Parade .
The restaurant donated 15 percent of all sales from 11 a . m . -8 p . m . to the Tupelo High School Band . Over 250
Mirreya , Natalia and Angelina came out to the Nov . 16 fundraiser to support their brother , Xavier , who is battling leukemia . Natalia , center , is a match for a bone marrow donor and is expected to help her big brother make a full recovery .
been faced with ,” said Ansley . “ Our Birch Run Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant and Marshall Greene Middle School came together to help this young child and his family through this journey in his life – it ’ s truly amazing to see this community come together .” S
people came out for the event , which was able to raise more than $ 800 . The band also had a donation bucket in the restaurant as well .
“ We had a lot of teachers and schools ordering lunch to-go ,” said Nabors . “ We had athletes , the police and fire department , city officials and a ton of parents and students come out .”
The funds were used for lodging , transportation and food , and the band members did not have to pay anything out-of-pocket for the trip .
“ Tupelo is a city that always rises to the occasion with support from the entire community ,” said Wingin ’ It franchisee James Koza . “ We are happy to help .” S