Rita Di Lello
J. Lohr Vice President Sales, National Accounts
Growing up in a very large family of twelve siblings, I appreciated the wonder of going to a restaurant for a family meal on a rare and special occasion. The experience of getting everyone dressed and out the door required a bit of good fortune, as well as amazing patience from mom and dad, but it was always worthwhile.
Fast forward to our grand entry at the restaurant. Our typical entrance was often met with the look of initial terror by the wait staff. This then usually quickly converted into a warm and welcoming experience as they got to know us. These hard-working professionals made me feel special, “yes – another chocolate milk please,” but still right at home. It has stuck with me forever. Dining out was a wonderful experience and one that I wanted to enjoy more of.
Now, as J. Lohr’s Vice President Sales for National Accounts, I certainly get the opportunity to enjoy dining out more than in my youth. This has also led me to interact more frequently with the talented restaurant employees who greet me at the door, share details about the menu and wine lists, prepare the food, and get to know me personally.
The admiration that I have for this profession of hardworking individuals is such that I decided to seek out how I could become more involved with them. I realized that the food and beverage industry can be challenging monetarily to make ends meet, particularly when life’s hardships enter the picture. On this journey of discovery to see how I could have an impact, I became acquainted with an organization called CORE – Children of Restaurant Employees.
CORE grants support to children of food and beverage service employees navigating life-altering circumstances. This can be a variety of circumstances such as the illness of a child or of a parent / food & beverage service employee. Since its inception in 2004, CORE has helped over 400 children from more than 200 families across the industry. CORE has raised over $2.5 million in support of these families.
CORE Executive Director Lauren LaViola and past CORE grant recipient who passed away from cancer in 2013.
The organization is led by a passionate Executive Director, Lauren LaViola. Lauren began working at the organization part-time after she completed graduate school in 2011. Lauren quickly fell in love with her role at the non-profit and embraced the potential impact that she could have on the lives of people who were in need. The requests that she and her Board approve can be up to $10,000 grants, but, on average, fall between $2,500 and $5,000. The funds are then used in a variety of ways, always specific to the needs of the children. This includes, but is not limited to, medical expenses for the child, mortgages or rent, a trip or experience for the family, the transport of other family members to be nearby during the time of difficulty, groceries, clothing, etc.
Perhaps one of the most emotional and touching grants that I was exposed to was the donation made to a food and beverage service employee whose daughter was dying from cancer. The grant was given to the family to redecorate the child’s bedroom into a beautiful paradise of wonder and happiness. In this child’s final days, this transformation gave her something to look forward to and, after her passing, it became her little sister’s new room and her family’s happy space to go and remember her. The mother spoke of this at the recent VIBE conference I attended in San Diego. She credited CORE for their generosity in not only the financial contribution, but also the feeling that this family was not alone – that they were part of a community that would assist them in getting through the unthinkable tragedy of losing a child. The mom was so articulate and genuine; there was not a dry eye in the conference hall. Listening to her story, and feeling her true gratitude to CORE, continues to motivate me to do what I can to support this unique organization as well as other CORE families.
Just a small glimpse into Bianka’s dream room
Running a small business is hard, especially a nonprofit. I deeply admire the way that CORE operates on a low administrative budget and attempts to be as “grassroots” as possible. Exposure is gained through the Ambassador Program, which I am a member of, as well as a dedicated Board, Advisory Council, a COREporate Member program, and social media exposure.
When I asked Lauren about her vision for CORE, she said that over the next five years she would like for CORE to be the immediate, “go to” organization thought-of by a food and beverage service employee when they are faced with a life-altering circumstance. She also pointed out that while CORE has currently granted support in 31 states, she knows that the demand for their services spans the nation. This is why CORE is registered to grant support in all 50 states. She added that CORE would like to have Ambassadors in every state within five years.
We all have organizations and causes that we are passionate about. For me, CORE is all about a personal connection. It is a way to show gratitude to these professionals; through them, I’m allowed to share the industry I love with their wider audience of restaurant patrons, hotel guests, and concessions customers who seek guidance from their servers when making a food and beverage choice. These individuals’ abilities to represent and pour the wines of J. Lohr, and my fellow colleague’s wines and beverages, is a skill to be acknowledged. In appreciation for their service, I’m honored to be able to be there for them, in some small way, when they might also need a helping hand.
To learn more about the great work of CORE, please visit their website.
