“Dining for Johnny” took place at Franco’s Metro in early November. On Monday, the restaurant’s general manager presented a check to John Damato, 16, and his mother.
The general manger of a local restaurant that held a fundraiser earlier this month to help the family of a 16-year-old Fort Lee boy who received a heart transplant in June presented the family with a check for $1,000 Monday. The donation resulted from a three-day fundraiser Gene Bazzarelli of Franco’s Metro called “Dining for Johnny,” during which the restaurant donated 15 percent of people's checks if they brought in the flyer for the event. Bazzarelli, whose cousin is one of John Damato’s teachers at Fort Lee High School, said he was pleased with the turnout in spite of the event having taken place shortly after Sandy and during the snowstorm that followed. Bazzarelli said he didn’t know John or his family until his cousin, Ms. Bernardo…
40.85014
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Franco's Metro Restaurant and Bar
1475 Bergen Blvd, Fort Lee, NJ
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The Fort Lee restaurant will donate 15 percent of the check now through Thursday to the family of a 16-year-old Fort Lee boy recovering from a heart transplant.
Updated Wednesday, Nov. 7. A local restaurant is doing its part to help out the family of a 16-year-old Fort Lee boy who received a heart transplant in June by donating 15 percent of people's lunch or dinner checks Monday through Wednesday this week. "We will never let a stupid hurricane get in the way of supporting one of our local residents," said general manager Gene Bazzarelli of Franco’s Metro earlier this week, when the event was planned for Monday through Wednesday. Now because of the winter storm that started sweeping through the area Wednesday, Bazzarelli said he's adding a day. "We have decided to extend [Dining for Johnny] through[Thursday] night," he said. "As always, people who cannot attend, should contact me directly to set …
40.85014
-73.984829
Franco's Metro Restaurant and Bar
1475 Bergen Blvd, Fort Lee, NJ
/articles/fort-lee-restaurant-to-sponsor-dining-for-johnny
1770282
/locations/8141352
Robyn Nadel
11:05 am on Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Kudos to Franco's Metro.....they are a family with a heart of gold (and an outstanding restaurant)! Best of luck to the Damato family, always. :) more ›