The Art Institute Helps Local Organization Set Sail To Help Save Lives Abroad

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

      Contact: Michelle Estrellado
  mestrellado@aii.edu

The Art Institute of California, Los Angeles Helps Local Organization Set Sail to Save Lives Abroad
Benefit Fundraising Dinner Held in Support of Floating Doctors

[SANTA MONICA, CA – November 25, 2008] – The Art Institute of California, Los Angeles will host a fundraising dinner to support Floating Doctors, a floating medical clinic aboard a 60-foot sailboat that will provide professional medical service to Third World countries, and Chef Daniel Murray, instructor and alumnus of The Art Institute of California, Los Angeles, who is one of the eight crewmembers to depart on this journey to improve health conditions around the world. The event, which includes dinner and a silent auction, will take place at Bistro 31 at The Art Institute of California, Los Angeles (2900 31st Street in Santa Monica) from 7:00-10:00 PM on Thursday, December 4, 2008.  

“During a time like this, where poverty, poor living and healthcare conditions, and political strife are so widespread, it’s even more important for me now to be a part of this endeavor to serve communities in need of medical care, and raise awareness about current global healthcare issues, “ said Chef Daniel Murray.  “As a chef, this is a meaningful way for me to use my skills to help develop nutritional programs for the areas we will serve.”   For the past two years, Chef Murray has been inspiring culinary students in his classroom at The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of California, Los Angeles, teaching everything from skills classes to the newest culinary trends in Current Cuisine to overseeing the American Culinary Federation (ACF) team. 

“Although we will miss his leadership in the classrooms, we applaud Chef Murray and his decision to be a part of such a commendable organization (Floating Doctors),” commented Laura Soloff, president of The Art Institute of California, Los Angeles.   “We also encourage our students to use their creative skills and passion to make an impact through their art. Being an alumnus of our school, Chef Murray has taken this lesson to heart and is an outstanding representative of the type of student that graduates from our school.”

In support of Chef Murray and Support Doctors, the instructors from The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of California, Los Angeles are donating their time to create the dinner for the fundraiser.  Academic Director Chef Christophe Bernard and his team of talented chef instructors will prepare a 5-course meal, including appetizers and wine for $100 per person.  Culinary students will donate their time as servers and assist in the kitchen to demonstrate their support for the cause.  Seating is limited.

All proceeds from this dinner and silent auction will go to Floating Doctors to help supply them with adequate medical supplies for their year-long journey through Central America and the Eastern Pacific. “It doesn’t take a huge amount of money to drastically change people’s lives. It costs about $350 to help a whole village, carrying what we need from our boat,” stated local Dr. Benjamin LaBrot, founder of Floating Doctors. “With the proceeds from this fundraiser alone, we estimate that we will be able to provide essential medical treatment, clean water, and improve living conditions for a dozen communities in impoverished countries.”

Based out of Topanga, the mission of Floating Doctors is to raise international awareness of current issues in world healthcare through the novel method of a 12 month circumnavigation by sailing vessel.  As an eco-friendly floating medical clinic, Floating Doctors will provide free healthcare services to areas lacking resources and deliver vital medical supplies.  Additionally, the crew will work to raise awareness about global healthcare issues and strive to build international cooperation to support positive change in these environments by using media,  such as interactive Web sites and documentary films  The international crew consists of two doctors, a nutritionist, a lay-wound care specialist, two filmmakers, a still photographer/mechanic, and a chef.

For more information on the Floating Doctors, please visit www.floatingdoctors.com .  To RSVP for the fundraising dinner on December 4, 2008, please contact 424.744.7501 or email floatingdoctors@gmail.com .  Deadline to RSVP is November 25, 2008. Tickets for the dinner and silent auction event are $100 per person and include a five-course meal and wine.

The Art Institute of California, Los Angeles is one of The Art Institutes (www.artinstitutes.edu), a system of over 40 education institutions located throughout North America, providing an important source of design, media arts, fashion and culinary professionals.

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