Oct. 1: Minnesota Vikings to Host Annual Taste of the NFL Celebrity Dinner, Raffle Off 2007 MINI Cooper

Next Monday, Oct. 1, from 6 to 9 p.m., the Minnesota Vikings will host their annual Taste of the NFL Celebrity Dinner at the Vikings Field House, in Eden Prairie, Minn. While supporting efforts to promote hunger relief efforts and organizations, guests will get to enjoy fantastic food from the Twin Cities' top restaurants, sip fine Gallo of Sonoma wines, and mix and mingle with local athletes and celebrities -- including current and alumni Vikings players.

During the evening, a raffle will determine the winner of a Chili Red 2007 MINI Cooper, courtesy of Motorwerks MINI, plus a full year of car insurance from Calhoun Insurance Agency. Guests will also have the opportunity to bid on several items -- including an opportunity to travel to a 2007 Vikings road game.

All proceeds from this annual event benefit Hunger Solutions Minnesota, through the Viking Children's Fund.

Participating Restaurants
This year, chefs from 20 of the Twin Cities' leading eateries will be serving up their specialties at TNFL Minnesota:
* B.A.N.K.
* Bar Abilene
* Brackett's Crossing
* Canyon Grille
* The Capital Grille
* Cosmos
* Dakota
* Edina Grill
* Firelake
* Franklin Street Bakery
* HazelleWood Grill & Tap Room
* Jensen's Supper Club
* Joe Senser's
* Kincaid's
* Maggiano's Little Italy
* Murray's
* Northcoast Restaurant
* Rudolph's Bar-B-Que
* Tejas Restaurant
* Wildfire

TNFL Partners
In order to help channel as much money as possible to hunger-related efforts via the evening's ticket and silent auction sales, raffle, etc., TNFL Minnesota has partnered with several generous Twin Cities organizations and businesses:
* Ecolab
* Faegre & Benson LLP
* First Commercial Bank
* Gallo Family Vineyards
* Miller Lite
* Minnesota Vikings
* Motorwerks MINI
* Pepsi
* Qwest

MINI Cooper Raffle
Starting today, people can buy raffle tickets at $100 each for a chance to win a Chili Red 2007 MINI Cooper and a full year's worth of auto insurance. Tickets my be purchased by cash or check [no credit cards accepted] at Hunger Solutions Minnesota, Tejas Restaurant, Bar Abilene or Motorwerks MINI.

The drawing will be held during next Monday night's TNFL Minnesota event. Winner need not be present to collect on his or her prize.

FYI: Just 500 raffle tickets are available, so enter ASAP!

Tickets
Tickets for this year's TNFL Minnesota fundraiser are $160 per person for general admission [no reserved seat], or $1,500 for a table of 10 [reserved seating]. Orders may be faxed using this registration form; phoned in [612.338.4537]; or placed online.

For more information about this year's Minnesota Vikings Taste of the NFL Celebrity Dinner, call 612.338.4537.
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Cleveland Browns' Taste of the NFL Celebrity Dinner Raises $140,000-Plus to Fight Hunger, Raise Awareness

On Sept. 10, 2007, 1,000-plus people gathered in the City View Club Lounge, at Cleveland Browns Stadium, to nosh on delectable foodstuffs, sip wine, hobnob with celebrities, and raise more than $140,000 to fight hunger.

As GoodBiz113 reported two weeks ago ["Sept. 10: NFL's Regular-Season Play Kicks Off With Cleveland Browns Taste of the NFL Celebrity Dinner"], the Cleveland Browns have teamed with Cleveland Foodbank, chefs from more than two dozen of Cleveland's best restaurants, plus several generous sponsors, to host its annual Taste of the NFL dinner. It's one of several TNFL events held in NFL cities throughout the year to raise funds to help feed hungry people, and heighten awareness of hunger in America.

Among the celebrities at last week's fundraiser: John Lanigan, from WMJI ["Majic 105.7"]; and Tim White and Romona Robinson, from WKYC-TV ["Channel 3"], Cleveland's NBC affiliate, who served as emcees. Browns alumnus Kevin Mack and current player Simon Fraser were honorary co-chairs. Browns quarterback Derek Anderson [pictured above with young fan] was on hand, too.

What were the evening's highlights? "There was a great group of Cleveland Browns players and alumni – almost 40 in all – that really mixed and mingled with the guests," said Karen Ponza, communications manager of Cleveland FoodBank, the targeted nonprofit group that will channel funds to help feed Cleveland's hungry people. "The silent auction had a lot of great prizes as well."

How much money was raised? "We raised more than $140,000," Ponza told GoodBiz113. "That's about $25,000 more than last year -- thanks, mostly, to a jump in 10-pack sales. We had a great volunteer on our committee who really helped recruit new companies to buy 10-packs of tickets."

Way to score, Cleveland! Stay tuned to GoodBiz113 for reports about additional TNFL events happening soon.

Source: Cleveland Foodbank
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