El Gaucho®’s Fourth Annual “Shooting for the Stars” Raises over $55,000
Fundraiser Benefits the Hemophilia Foundation of Oregon and the OHSU Oregon Regional Hemophilia Treatment Center

PORTLAND, Ore.—(October 8, 2009)—The Fourth Annual “Shooting for the Stars” was held at El Gaucho Portland Sunday, September 20. The event, which featured a putting challenge, raised over $55,000 for the Hemophilia Foundation of Oregon and the OHSU Oregon Regional Hemophilia Treatment Center.

For this spirited evening, El Gaucho’s swanky interior was transformed into a Las Vegas-style casino and featured a three-round putting challenge, offering lucky putters the chance to win $10,000. Guests enjoyed a live auction, El Gaucho’s signature 28-dry aged Certified Angus Beef® Prime tenderloin kabobs, prime rib and Caesar salad prepared from scratch coupled with one-of-a-kind cocktails designed by Mark Joseph and fabulous wine.

With each paddle raised, the live auction helped make a difference in the lives of those coping with the challenges of chronic bleeding disorders. Some impressive winning lots were:

• Diamond Ring, a beautiful 1952 original right hand ring in platinum with just over one carat in diamonds ($1900).
• Maui Vacation, a 6 day/5 night package in sunny Kihei across from Maui’s finest beaches of sparkling crystal-blue waters, tropical trade winds and azure skies ($1800).
• Black Butte Getaway, a one week stay in a four bedroom home on .46 acres with stunning views of the Big Meadow and Mt. Jefferson ($1600).

The Golden Ticket Raffle also raised $2800 and the Special Appeal “Raise the Paddle” raised $7,900. Surprisingly, there was no putting challenge winner of the night.

All proceeds from Shooting for the Stars will support the Hemophilia Foundation of Oregon (HFO) and the Oregon Health and Science University’s Oregon Regional Hemophilia Treatment Center (HTC). Both organizations enhance the lives of people with bleeding disorders and their families through research, medical care, education, insurance assistance, advocacy and special activities like the HFO educational summer camp for children and teens with bleeding disorders. The Hemophilia Foundation of Oregon began this innovative week-long summer camp in 1970. At camp, young people can experience the outdoors while learning to manage their bleeding disorder in a safe and supportive environment.

Open since 2000, El Gaucho® is the Northwest's steakhouse legacy focused on elegant, old-school, tableside service for people celebrating their lives. The menu highlights 28-Day Dry-Aged Certified Angus Beef® Prime steaks, cutting edge fresh seafood selections from sustainable sources, and extensive wine and malt scotch lists. El Gaucho’s swanky bar was recently featured in Continental Airlines magazine and given the “Gold Standard” by Portland Monthly magazine. Located at 319 S.W. Broadway, El Gaucho is open Monday through Thursday 5 p.m. to midnight; Friday and Saturday 5 p.m. to 1 a.m.; Sunday from 5 to 11 p.m. Happy hour is available 5 to 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. to close Monday through Friday and all day Sunday. For more information, visit www.elgaucho.com or call (503) 227-8794.

More information on the Hemophilia Foundation of Oregon can be found at www.hfo.info.

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Editor’s Note: High-resolution photos are available upon request.

Media Contact: Andrea Courtney
Randall Public Relations
(206) 624-5757 / andrea.courtney@randallpr.com

Kerri Lewis
Mackay Restaurants
(206) 352-1450 x12 / klewis@mackayrestaurants.com

Source: Dr. Michael Recht, MD, PhD
Adjunct Associate Professor of Pediatrics
Oregon Hemophilia Treatment Center, Oregon Health and Science University
(503) 784-8716/ rechtm@ohsu.edu