Dine for a Good Cause: Eat at Columbia Restaurant and Help Alzheimer's & Dementia Resource Center
Imagine sipping Sangria, nibbling on breaded eggplant smothered in sauce and cheese, and watching the setting sun glint off Celebration’s Lake Rainhard. Now, imagine savoring that moment with the knowledge that five percent of your bill will be donated to the Alzheimer’s & Dementia Resource Center, without any extra charge.
Sounds like a pretty perfect evening, right?
We agree.
And this September, you can make this sweet vision a reality.
That’s because the 1905 Family of Restaurants has included ADRC in its annual September Harvest at Celebration’s Columbia Restaurant once again.
The program, which spans all the 1905 Family of Restaurants locations, has generated some $4 million for Florida non-profits since its inception nearly 30 years ago. Last year alone, the brand donated nearly $425,000 in gift certificates.
The fundraiser includes seven Columbia locations, plus Tampa’s Ulele, Goody Goody Burgers, Casa Santo Stefano, and Sarasota’s Cha Cha Coconuts.
The Alzheimer’s & Dementia Resource Center will appear on Celebration’s Columbia ballot, alongside several other charitable organizations. Patrons simply select one, and five percent of their check is donated. The diner does not shell out extra cash.
“As we look ahead to Columbia's 120th anniversary in 2025, I’m reminded that great restaurants are more than just places to eat; they’re part of the fabric of the community. I started this program to help many of the worthy non-profits so important to the people who live near our restaurants across Florida,” said President Richard Gonzmart, who is a 4th generation caretaker. “The simple concept is to ‘eat well and do good.’ It’s a delicious way to help these organizations.”
The Columbia Restaurant is the Sunshine State’s oldest eatery, opening as the Columbia Saloon the same day the Wright brothers took to the sky — December 17, 1903. In 1905, the dining establishment became the Columbia Restaurant, and that Ybor city location now spans a city block.
The founding family is still at the helm, making it one of the nation’s oldest continuously-owned family restaurants, said spokesman Michael Kilgore.
“In the early 90s, the Columbia struggled through some financial issues. Through hard work, creativity and a talented team, the company emerged stronger. It’s now one of the most successful restaurant groups in the country” Kilgore said. “Amid the challenges, Richard vowed to himself that if the company emerged from that crisis, he would donate even more.”
Richard Gonzmart added: “I graduated from Jesuit High School in Tampa. I consider myself a person of great faith. And I believe that we rise by lifting others.”
And they have.
“Our goal with Community Harvest is to continue supporting the communities that support us. None of us is as strong as all of us,” Kilgore said.
So, the next time you are craving Spanish-Cuban cuisine, consider heading over to Celebration’s Columbia Restaurant, and give ADRC a vote this September.