Ranch restaurants to host St. Patrick's Day benefits

LAKEWOOD RANCH — Two local non-profit organizations will enjoy the luck of the Irish this St. Patrick’s Day thanks to a pair of Lakewood Ranch restaurants.

The Lucky Pelican Bistro and Fish Market and Ed’s Tavern both will host St. Patrick’s Day celebrations March 17 to benefit the Wobbly Feet Foundation Inc. and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, respectively.

Ed’s Tavern’s celebration will begin with green eggs and ham at 10 a.m. and continue throughout the day with corned beef and cabbage and live music by The Rum Runners.

Lucky Pelican’s event kicks off at 5 p.m. and will feature music, buffet-style corned beef and cabbage, green beer and more.

WOBBLY FEET
Nick and Samantha Dzembo started the Wobbly Feet Foundation in honor of their 3-year-old son, Connor, who was diagnosed with ataxia-telangiectasia, also known as A-T, last August.

A-T is a genetic neuromuscular disease that affects several body systems. Ataxia causes the degeneration of the cerebellum that leads to a lack of muscle control, which causes slurred speech, wobbliness and eventually confines the patient to a wheelchair. Telangiectasia appears as red spider veins in the corners of the eyes, on the ears and cheeks.

Lucky Pelican owner Jim Poitrast met the Dzembos through the restaurant and said he is eager to help their cause.

“We’ll be donating 10% of the total sales to Wobbly Feet,” he said. “And we’ll have a lot of corned beef ready for a lot of people.”

Through Wobbly Feet, the Dzembos are hoping to raise $150,000 to fund a three-year research program through the Roskamp Institute. If funded, the program not only could yield significant research about the disease but also some compounds that could be used to slow its progress.

Wobbly Feet supporters recently completed a walk-a-thon and yard/bake sale. So far, the organization has raised $14,000 for the A-T Children’s Project, another organization, and $10,000 toward its $150,000 goal.

Contact Michael Eng at [email protected].
 

IF YOU GO
LUCKY PELICAN'S St. PADDY'S DAY CELEBRATION
WHEN: 5 p.m., March 17
WHERE: Lucky Pelican, 6239 Lake Osprey Drive
BENEFICIARY: Wobbly Feet Foundation Inc.
INFORMATION: 907-0589

ED'S TAVERN ST. PATTY'S PARTY
WHEN: 4 p.m., March 17
WHERE: Ed’s Tavern, 10719 Rodeo Drive
BENEFICIARY: Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
INFORMATION: 907-0400