Local
David’s Treasure Tree receives $10K from Club Chefs of Connecticut
By Press Release
Apr 30, 2008 - 11:05:32 AM

Club’s Annual Gourmet Showcase Raises Funds for Toy Closet in Stamford Hospital’s Pediatric Unit

From left to right: Mark LeMoult, President of Club Chefs of Connecticut, of Norwalk; Katy Meyers, of Stamford; Marc Bennett; Robin Kanarek, of Greenwich; Carl Bennett, of Greenwich; Belinda Foster, Stamford Hospital Foundation’s Director of Operations, of Stamford; Kari Pollak, Stamford Hospital Foundation’s Special Events Associate, of Stamford; and Jeff Perez, Vice President of Club Chefs of Connecticut, of Norwalk.

David’s Treasure Tree, located in Stamford Hospital’s Pediatric Unit, recently received a $10,000 infusion from Club Chefs of Connecticut to help restock the year-round toy closet. This year marks Club Chef’s largest donation to the cause, having raised more than $31,000 since 2004.

David’s Treasure Tree is a toy closet named in memory of 15-year-old David Kanarek, a Greenwich resident who lost his battle with acute lymphomatic leukemia in 2000. Children staying in Stamford Hospital’s Pediatric Unit can select from the toy closet a developmentally appropriate toy or gift to keep. David’s parents Robin and Joseph Kanarek founded the cause as a unique way to honor their son’s memory.

“David’s Treasure Tree helps children enjoy a momentary escape from the hospital experience,” Robin Kanarek said. “We know firsthand what that meant to David and are happy that other children and their families can experience that, too. So, it gives us great joy when an organization like Club Chefs of Connecticut can make such a significant contribution.”

A professional association, Club Chefs of Connecticut consists of Executive Chefs and Sous Chefs from country clubs throughout the state and Westchester County. Since 1999, club members have put their “best dish forward” in an annual gourmet showcase to benefit Stamford Hospital. The group’s recent fundraiser attracted almost 600 people who spent an evening sampling a five-star buffet and bidding on silent auction items.

“David’s Treasure Tree is a rewarding cause because it’s all about the children,” said Chef Mark LeMoult, President of Club Chefs of Connecticut and Executive Chef of Tamarack Country Club. “As a nonprofit organization, Club Chefs focuses on networking and education for chefs at country clubs. But it is also important to give back to the local community, and we have been able to do that by spotlighting our cuisine at this annual benefit for David’s Treasure Tree.”

The connection with David’s Treasure Tree is also personal for Club Chefs’ Vice President Jeff Perez, Executive Chef of Fairview Country Club in Greenwich. Perez first met David and his family almost 10 years ago. David, then 14, was a camp counselor-in-training at Milbrook Country Club in Greenwich, where, at the time, Perez was executive chef. After David’s death, Perez lost touch with the Kanareks when they moved to London. When Club Chefs began benefitting David’s Treasure Tree, Perez was able to reconnect with the family, who moved back to Greenwich last year.

In addition to financial donations, David’s Treasure Tree also accepts developmentally appropriate toys and gifts such as books, games, puzzles, art supplies, and baby rattles. For information, contact Stamford Hospital Foundation at (203) 276-5900.

Stamford Hospital is a not-for-profit provider of comprehensive healthcare services in lower Fairfield County. The mission of Stamford Hospital is to provide, together with its physicians, a broad range of high quality health and wellness services focused on the needs of our communities. Stamford Hospital is a Magnet Hospital and a member of the Planetree Alliance, a group of hospitals nationwide focused on patient-centered care. Stamford Hospital is affiliated with NewYork Presbyterian Health System and is a major teaching affiliate of the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons.

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