Elmhurst resident, business owner helps raise funds for Ray Graham Association

ELMHURST – Even though he is passionate about food and creating enjoyable dining experiences, Elmhurst resident and business owner Tony Gambino wants to leverage his success to support a cause near and dear to his heart.

Gambino has been operating restaurants in the Chicago area for more than 25 years. He is the CEO of First Course Productions, the company behind locals restaurants HB Jones, Armand's Pizzeria and Salseria.

He also recently joined the planning committee for the annual Robert F. Spahn Memorial Golf Classic, a fundraising event that benefits the Ray Graham Association. The Lisle-based organization supports more than 2,000 DuPage County residents and their families through a variety of innovative programs for children and adults with disabilities.

For Gambino, advocating for people with disabilities is a personal cause. Mark, his brother-in-law, receives services from the Ray Graham Association.

“Ray Graham was the first place we called when we were looking for activities and programs for Mark,” Gambino said in a news release. “They pay attention to what’s important to him, like spending time with friends in the community and being as independent as possible.”

The Robert F. Spahn Memorial Golf Classic will be hosted May 23 at River Forest Country Club, 15W468 Grand Ave., Elmhurst. Gambino's First Course Productions will be well-represented as a sponsor at the Halfway House on the course where he will be offering snacks and his well-known margaritas.

The annual event raises nearly $100,000 for the organization, which according to Ray Graham Association Chief Development Officer Lorri Nagle, allows the organization to provide community-based housing, educational supplies and recreational opportunities for people with disabilities so they can be as independent as possible.

“Tony Gambino, and those like him, are leaders whose networking skills have helped others learn about Ray Graham Association and the impact we are making in the lives of people with disabilities,” Nagle said. “In fact, [Gambino] and his family learned about the services at [Ray Graham Association] through other Elmhurst community leaders including Marty Schiller and Jon Phillips, both of whom have been advocates and ambassadors for [Ray Graham Association] for many years.”

“Helping raise money for an organization like [Ray Graham Association] is easy compared to the work that the staff at [Ray Graham Association] do every day in supporting people with disabilities,” Gambino said in the release. “I believe in what they do, and I know Mark is happy.”

For more information about the event visit www.rgagolf.org or call Noe Janus at 630-628-7274.

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ABOUT RAY GRAHAM ASSOCIATION

With a broad array of educational, vocational, community, respite, early intervention, recreational, home-based and residential programs and services, the Ray Graham Association is able to find just the right way to empower each of the nearly 2,000 adults and children with primarily intellectual and developmental disabilities they serve in DuPage County and the surrounding area. For more info, visit www.ray-graham.org