Azul Latin Kitchen raises almost $17,000 for Live Violence Free in 2018

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Each year Azul Latin Kitchen selects a local nonprofit to be the recipient of their fundraising for the year. In 2018, Live Violence Free (LVF) was the recipient of that generosity and today were presented a check for $16,917.50 at a ceremony at Lake Tahoe Community College.

The popular restaurant in the Heavenly Village in South Lake Tahoe had Tahoe Youth & Family Services as their nonprofit of choice last year and Tahoe Arts Project will get the funds in 2019.

Throughout the year Azul Latin Kitchen had fundraisers and culminated in a taco buffet dinner in December with drink specials, live music, and a raffle.

Azul Partnering Manager Danny Scott presented the check along with General Manager Lauren Lappin. Scott said the amount raised far exceeded expecations.

“Azul Latin Kitchen is proud to support our community through frequent fundraising events,” said Ray Villaman, owner and CEO of Tahoe Restaurant Group. “This night was a collaborative group effort between Tahoe Restaurant Group’s management, Azul Latin Kitchen employees, LVF volunteers, and many local companies and individuals who supported with amazing raffle prizes,” he added. “I am particularly proud of our GM, Lauren Lappin, for orchestrating this event, along with assistance from our bar Manager, Bob Caron. A big thank you also goes to our generous team members which made this donation possible.”

According to Villaman, the $16,900 sum is the second most successful fundraising effort since Tahoe Restaurant Group was established in 2002, due in part to the fact that the restaurant’s staff donated their hours as well as their tips to this important cause.

Executive Director Jane Flavin said, “Live Violence Free is awestruck by how wonderful the AZUL staff was to choose us for a partnership. The Taco-Festivus evening could not have been more perfect! The hard work the staff demonstrated was just amazing. The restaurant was packed! And to think the staff all donated their time to our cause! AZUL’s professional experience and reputation, plus our South Tahoe community who came out to support us, made for a very profitable evening. I commend the company’s focus on community partnerships. By involving their employees they are building strong relationships within their community.”

“We’re so grateful to the management and staff of Azul Latin Kitchen for the opportunity to raise funds for LVF,” added Jessica Albee the Fund Development Manager for Live Violence Free.

Tahoe Restaurant Group includes four restaurants located on both the north and south shores of Lake Tahoe. Azul Latin Kitchen and Base Camp Pizza are located in the Heavenly Village in South Lake Tahoe, Rubicon Pizza is in the Village at Northstar, and Fireside Pizza is in Squaw Valley.

Base Camp Pizza is raising funds this year for the Lake Tahoe Educational Foundation.

The celebration at Lake Tahoe Community College on Friday including an unveiling of a tree made with 72 tiles created by local groups and survivors of domestic violence. It was up for Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October, then put into the offices at LVF. A blank wall in the school's Creekside Room.