Avondale restaurants throw benefit fundraiser for Haiti & Red Cross

21 Jan 2010 by Sean in Charleston Events

The unprecedented outpouring of support for Haiti after last week’s earthquake continues Saturday at Triangle Char & Bar.

With the support of Pearlz Oyster Bar and Al Di La, The Avondale Point Haiti Relief Benefit takes place from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, January 23 in Triangle’s parking lot at the intersection of Savannah Highway (Hwy. 17 S) and Magnolia Rd.

From the event’s Facebook page:

For $20 all-inclusive, attendees will enjoy BBQ and Grass Fed Beef Burgers from Triangle, Oysters from Pearlz and Al Di La’s Pasta along with drinks in the Beer & Wine Garden and live local music, all while helping aid the victims of the horrible earthquake in Haiti.

“Everybody kind of called everybody”

The benefit almost didn’t happen.  Understandably, a large event like this takes coordination.  Triangle Char & Bar General Manager Michael Lotz said when the earthquake struck, one of his managers, Lindsey Cawley, bugged him all day about doing something to help Haiti.

So Lotz finally proposed the idea of a benefit to Pearlz, expecting they would say no, and that would be the end of it.

But after the call, Pearlz was in.  Then Al Di La was in.

“We got on the phone calling everyone we knew,” Lotz said.

Even the purveyors and distributors were donating for the event.

“I think it’s awesome,” Lotz said.  “I knew it’d snowball.  I’ve done charity in the past.  It just ... watching it on tv was ripping my heart out.”

The message spread quickly over the phone and over social media like Facebook and Twitter.

Between the $20 cover and a silent auction, Lotz said he expects the event to generate between $8,000 to $12,000 for the Red Cross.

Get there early, though.  Lotz said they’ll be monitoring the parking lot at Triangle and will turn people away once it becomes too crowded.  Though a representative from the Red Cross will be on hand at the gate to accept donations.

Most of us want to find a way to help the victims of this disaster.  Dollars go a long way to supporting the relief effort.  What better way to help raise money and awareness than to enjoy some great company, great food & drink and live music?

For more information, contact Triangle Char & Bar at (843) 377-1300 or Pearlz at (843) 573-2277.