Dear Patrons,

As the year draws to a close, I recently had the opportunity to reflect on our wonderful community.  During this time of thanksgiving and giving, I wanted to acknowledge your efforts and thank you for affording us the opportunity to help the many worthy causes you support by asking us to donate to the charities near and dear to you.

It's always been my personal conviction to help out whenever and wherever I'm able.  Over the past almost 16 years now, rarely have I declined an oppportunity to help out.  I'm struck by your creativity, convictions, and commitments.  Breast cancer survivors participating in a 3-day walk, needing to raise $4,000; a son celebrating his father's life - memorializing him by establishing a golf outing; a 5th grade soccer team needing new jerseys; I could go on, almost forever...

As of today, we have donated gift certificates to exactly 750 worthy local non-profits, organizations, and causes.  I fully expect the number to reach 1,000 by the end of the year.  In addition, we have donated 17 certificates for in-home dinners - where my wife, Jennifer and I, arrive at the winning bidder's home and prepare a 5 course meal paired with white and red wines for 10 guests.  I've donated a spaghetti fundraiser and graduation dinners to schools where 100% of the proceeds have benefitted the athletic departments.  My culinary team and I have cooked at countless charity events, setting up demonstration tables and offering food samples.

With that said, I'm pround to announce the establishment of Care-a-lottas - the Bartolotta Charitable Fund which we will be launching on January 1st, 2009.  During these uneasy economic times, I ask you to join me in continuing to support those local causes who will need our help more than ever.

I'm proud to live in Milwaukee, knowing that together, we have made it a better place.

Happy Holidays!

Joe

P.S. For donation requests please see below

Every month, we will acknowledge the efforts of worthy non-profits, organizations, and companies by offering donations to auctions, raffles, door prizes etc.  In order to participate, we must receive your request by the 14th of the month prior to your event.  For example, if your event is in January, we would need to receive your request by December 14th.  On the 15th of the month prior to your event all donation recipients will be posted on our website. 

Please do not submit multiple requests for the same event.  We hope you understand that our desire is to assist as many organizations as possible, and as such, we are unable to donate to any one organization more than one time in any given calendar year.

Submitting requests

Please submit a letter detailing your event; i.e. auction, raffle, etc., the date of the event, and the charity or organization you are supporting.

Be sure to include the following information: contact name, mailing address, and phone number

Requests may be submitted via:

Email ~ bcf@bartolottas.com (highly recommended) 

Fax ~ (414) 258-8313

Mail ~ Care-a-lottas

         6005 W Martin Dr

         Wauwatosa, WI 53213

(Please include an 11", self-addressed, stamped envelope)

Fulfillment of requests - organizations who submitted requests via email or fax, can pick up donations on Tuesday or Thursday during the last week of the month.

*In an effort to protect our environment, we ask that only one request per event be submitted.