In honor of their 9th Anniversary of Operation in Sevierville, TN, owners of the Gondolier Restaurant, John and Rita Papaioannou, decided that they wanted to give back to the community.
On September 13, 2010, John and Rita invited the community to “Give a Child a Chance” by donating portions of the Gondolier Restaurant’s sales for the entire day to the charitable organizations of The Smoky Mountain Children’s Home and The Lord’s Child.
After community leaders attended at special dinner at the Gondolier Restaurant, owners John and Rita presented a $700.00 check to each organization.
Director of Operations, Bob Maggard, and his wife Wanda, received the donation on behalf of the Smoky Mountain Children’s Home.
In return, Maggard presented the Papaioannous with a special 90th Anniversary Limited Edition Paul Murray print of Hideaway, the face of The Home.
“We so appreciate your decision to “Give a Child a Chance,” said Maggard. “We pray for the Lord to bless you and the Gondolier for your contributions.”
Receiving the donation from The Lord’s Child was Chief Operating Officer, Laura Wolfenbarger, and Resource Director, David May.
In addition to hosting the event and making such significant donations to each organization, Rita also allowed representatives from The Home and The Lord’s Child to set up booths outside the Gondolier Restaurant to accept direct donations from their patrons on Monday.
The Smoky Mountain Children’s Home and The Lord’s Child appreciate Rita, John, and the entire Gondolier staff for their dedication to give the children of this community a chance.
