RA Sushi will host its sixth annual “Nicky’s Week” fundraiser May 30 to June 5 to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, one of the world’s premier pediatric cancer research centers. The Scottsdale-based restaurant and bar will donate 100 percent of the proceeds from the sale of a variety of menu items and beverages to St. Jude.
All 25 RA Sushi locations, including South Miami, will donate 100 percent of the proceeds from the sale of various food and beverage items to help treat and cure children with life-threatening illnesses. Food and beverage items include: Edamame, Tootsy Maki, Shrimp Nigiri, Pork Gyoza, Tuna Tataki, Chicken Yakitori, FIJI, Red Bull and Sugar Free Red Bull, The Republic of Tea, and other select beverages. The aforementioned items will be promoted through a number of events and initiatives at the South Miami location creating awareness to raise funds for the cause.
Nicky’s Week was developed in memory of longtime St. Jude patient Nicholas “Nicky” Mailliard, of Scottsdale, Ariz., who lost a long battle with brain cancer in February 2005 at the young age of 13. A nephew of one of RA Sushi’s founders, Nicky held a special place in the hearts of RA Sushi associates throughout the organization. RA Sushi initiated the fundraiser to honor the memory of Nicky and to raise awareness and funds for St. Jude, where no child is ever turned away because of a family’s inability to pay for medical treatments.
“St. Jude is an incredible organization with an important mission, and we want to help ensure that its services remain available to children and families battling serious illness,” said Scott Kilpatrick, co-founder and vice president of RA Sushi. “Nicky’s Week has raised nearly $500,000 for the hospital since 2005, and our goal is to increase that number by $125,000 this year.”
RA Sushi in South Miami will host a line-up of events to promote the cause. All donations from the weeklong effort will help pay for St. Jude’s development of treatment and cures for diseases such as brain tumors, leukemia, sickle cell disease, and other life-threatening illnesses in children.
- Sunday, May 30: There’s no school or work on Monday, celebrate with the Nicky’s Week edition of the “Flying Fish Lounge” 8 p.m.-midnight. It’s the perfect time to catch some fresh fish and drink specials.
- Tuesday, June 1: Join us at our “Bartender Bash Competition” from 7-9 p.m. and support your favorite local mixologists as they take a shot at creating delicious cocktails only using Nicky’s Week featured items. The bartender who sells the most cocktails wins the contest and a great prize.
- Thursday, June 3: Do you have the golden ticket? All guests who order Nicky’s Week featured menu items will have the opportunity to be one of the lucky few to discover a “RA Golden Ticket” underneath their dish. Fabulous prizes will be given to each person who finds a “RA Golden Ticket” during lunch and dinner. The more Nicky’s Week items you order, the better your chances!
- Saturday, June 5: RA-lly up for St. Jude! Join us for the Nicky’s Week wrap-up party with ear candy by special guest DJ Johnny The Boy from 7-10 p.m. Partygoers will be able to participate in numerous raffles featuring RA treats and luxurious goodies donated by local Nicky’s Week sponsors. Lastly, the restaurant welcomes everyone who “likes” RA Sushi in South Miami’s Facebook page to come join the party! The first 100 RA Facebook guests to RSVP on Facebook and check-in at the hostess stand will receive a Penny Drink Card or Free Appetizer Card to use during their next visit.
- All Week: The aforementioned events are fun ways to raise funds for St. Jude! However, all RA fans are encouraged to visit the restaurant throughout the week and enjoy RA-ckin’ Happy Hour specials from 3-7 p.m.
All donations from the weeklong effort will help support St. Jude which has treated children from all 50 states and around the world. Known primarily as a cancer research center, St. Jude doctors and researchers also treat children with sickle cell disease and pediatric HIV.
“We are very appreciative of events like Nicky’s Week that help raise money to support St. Jude,” said John Vranas, senior vice president of ALSAC, the fundraising organization of St. Jude. “Because of the generous support of this community and people around the country, St. Jude is able to continue to find cures and save children with cancer and other life-threatening diseases.”
Nicky’s Week sponsors include 1800, Anheuser-Busch, Captain Morgan, FIJI, Geyser Peak, Red Bull, Red Guitar, The Republic of Tea, Shirakiku and Skyy.
ABOUT RA SUSHI
RA Sushi Bar Restaurant, an upbeat, unconventional sushi bar, opened its first location in Scottsdale, Ariz. in October 1997. RA is best known for successfully combining distinctive sushi with a trendy, hip atmosphere. Fresh sushi is served sliced to order along with outstanding Japanese-fusion cuisine in a fun, energetic environment. The result is a place that is both unpretentious and fashionable.
RA Sushi in South Miami is located at 5829 SW 73rd St. across from The Shops at Sunset Place. Lunch is served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and dinner from 3 to 11 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and 3 p.m. to midnight Thursday through Sunday. Happy Hour food and beverage specials are offered Monday through Saturday from 3 to 7 p.m., and the bar remains open until 1 a.m. or later. RA Sushi’s Flying Fish Lounge is the perfect place to catch some fresh fish and drink specials. On Sunday nights from 8 p.m. to midnight, RA-goers visiting the Flying Fish Lounge will find Happy Hour specials on sushi and drinks.
For more information, visit RA online at www.RAsushi.com or on Facebook, MySpace and Twitter.
ABOUT ST. JUDE
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is internationally recognized for its pioneering work in finding cures and saving children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases. St. Jude is the first and only pediatric cancer center to be designated as a Comprehensive Cancer Center by the National Cancer Institute. Founded by late entertainer Danny Thomas and based in Memphis, Tenn., St. Jude freely shares its discoveries with scientific and medical communities around the world. St. Jude is the only pediatric cancer research center where families never pay for treatment not covered by insurance. No child is ever denied treatment because of the family’s inability to pay. St. Jude is financially supported by ALSAC, its fundraising organization. For more information, please visit www.stjude.org.