Nevada Cancer Institute director Dr. John C. Ruckdeschel and Ricardo's of Las Vegas owner Bob Ansara
Last Thursday, Sara and I went to Ricardo’s of Las Vegas, a long-time local favorite for pretty decent Mexican food. The restaurant had teamed up with Nevada Cancer Institute for “Dine for the Cure,” an event held to raise money for the local nonprofit. Ricardo’s owner Bob Ansara pledged to donate 30 percent of all proceeds from that evening to NVCI.
When we were there at about 7 p.m., it was definitely more packed than usual for a Thursday night. I figured that was a good sign, and that the donation to NVCI would be significant, at least $1000 (OK, ANY amount is significant, I know, but this is a business donation from a big event, not a personal thing). But according to the publicist for the event, Ricardo’s donation (thus far, not sure why there’s no final tally after four days) is just over $500.
Unless I’m crazy with the math, $500 is 30 percent of about $1667. For Sara and I, dinner (two entrees, no appetizers, one beer) was about $40. There were some big parties in there that night, but even averaging $40 per meal over the four hours of the event, that’s only approximately 41 meals. Really? Come on, there had to be that much being consumed in just the hour we were there.
Those numbers just don’t line up. I’ve never run a restaurant, but if just over $1500 is your take on a “special,” busy weeknight, then I can’t imagine you’re making enough to keep your doors open regularly. I worked at a movie theater in high school, and I’m pretty sure our nightly take on the concession stand was that much.
Well, either way, we had a good meal for a good cause, and it was very cool of Mr. Ansara to do this (blatant PR grab notwithstanding), but let’s double-check those numbers!
WOW!!!! SO WHO DOES CHECK THE NUMBERS? THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A CHARITY FUNCTION, THE REASON PEOPLE WERE THERE WAS TO DONATE. IN THAT CASE THEY COULD HAVE RAISED MORE MONEY IF THEY JUST WOULD HAVE ASKED THE PEOPLE ATTENDING FOR IT.
THE OWNER OF RICARDO’S GETS FREE ADVERTISING, MAKES MONEY OFF OF THE EVENT, AND PROBABLY REPEAT BUSINESS AFTER THE FACT. THE CHARITY THAT THE MONEY WAS INTENDED FOR, LOSES OUT.
WOW!!!! WHAT A DEAL, WAY TO GO ANSARA!!
Woah there, Capsy McCapsalot … I’m not questioning Ricardo’s dedication to the cause. Just the $500 seemed low to me. Again, I don’t work in the restaurant business so I could be setting my expectations too high …
I DON’T THINK SO! BUT YOU ARE RIGHT, IT’S THE THOUGHT THAT COUNTS…