IRVINE, Calif., March 19, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- In response to a growing epidemic, Stonefire Grill has established the Braveheart Awards and Grant Program designed to help those who have successfully escaped the cycle of domestic abuse start their lives anew. Restaurateurs Mary and Maureen Harrigan have pledged that funds generated by the sale of their "Incredible Carrot Cake" at all Stonefire Grill locations will be used to assist abused women who are committed to starting their lives over. The monies will be distributed along with the Braveheart Award at special luncheons where recipients will recount their stories of survival before those currently facing the problem in hopes that they too will become empowered to take action. The Harrigans are working in conjunction with several domestic abuse shelters to identify deserving candidates.
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"Establishing the Braveheart Awards and Grant Program is our way of making a positive contribution to the communities we serve," said Mary Harrigan. "Women and children are among the most vulnerable in our society and those who are victims of abuse are even more at risk. By implementing this program, we hope to help them make a fresh start while calling attention to this growing epidemic."
"Our carrot cake, which is made from scratch everyday from an old family recipe, was invariably served at birthdays, holidays and other special occasions for as long as I can remember," said Maureen Harrigan. "We're delighted that it now will be used to help those in need gain a new lease on life."
Among the harrowing statistics (sources available at www.endabuse.org/resources/facts ):
* Up to 37 percent of all women experience battering * Domestic violence is the number one cause of emergency room visits by women * Every day, four women are murdered by boyfriends or husbands * 25 percent of all crime is wife assault * 73 percent of battered women seeking emergency medical services have already separated from the abuser * The number one cause of women's injuries is abuse at home -- more often than car accidents, mugging and rape combined * Battering often occurs during pregnancy. One study found that 37 percent of pregnant women, across all class, race and educational lines, were physically abused during pregnancy * 2/3 of all marriages will experience domestic violence at least once * More than half of battered women stay with their batterer because they do not feel that they can support themselves and their children alone * 50 percent of the homeless women and children in the U.S. are fleeing abuse * Family violence kills as many women every 5 years as the total number of Americans who died in the Vietnam War
For more information about Stonefire Grill's Braveheart program, call (562) 491-1000.
The first Stonefire Grill was launched by the Harrigans in 2000 as an homage to their mother and the family's nightly gatherings where they enjoyed delicious family style dinners and spirited conversation in the comfortable atmosphere of their home. The restaurants offer an expansive menu featuring mesquite grilled tri-tip, barbecue and lemon-garlic chicken, baby-back ribs, and a wide assortment of salads, pizzas and pastas. All items on the menu are available "to-go" and each restaurant is even designed with a special entrance dedicated to take-out -- the modern mother's version of providing a wholesome, delicious meal for her family. In addition, the Stonefire Grill was featured on the Style Network for "catering a scrumptious meal on a budget."
Open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Stonefire Grills are located in Irvine, Valencia, Fountain Valley and West Hills. www.Stonefiregrill.com.
Photo is also available via AP PhotoExpress.
