Casa Olé Blog

The “Gift of Life” Program is pleased to announce that its inaugural October Ribbon Run/Walk will be held at 8:00 am on Saturday, October 1, in Downtown Beaumont and will be named by the program in loving memory of the late Julie Richardson Procter with the support of her beloved husband Beau Procter, who is generously funding an ovarian cancer educational awareness.

As September and October are National Ovarian and Breast Cancer Awareness Months, respectively, the “Gift of Life” has combined these two important endeavors in the Julie Richardson Procter Ribbon Run to heighten awareness of breast, ovarian and other devastating gynecological cancers, which impact hundreds of Southeast Texans each year, and to empower individuals to become better advocates of their health.

Featuring title co-sponsors Casa Olé and H-E-B, the 5K Fun Run/Walk is chaired by “Gift of Life” volunteers, Ron Espinosa and Christine Stetson, with the Host Committee chaired by “Gift of Life” board members, Patti McSpadden and Melody Parsons. Other committee members (to date) are Jane Barron, Jill C. Bee, Judy Black, Claire Crews, Pat Dubea, Aileen Larson, Sharon Parker, Betsy Rayle, Michele Smith and Suzanne Wolfrom.

The Run/Walk will be followed by an exciting program, All That Jazz and Tony, a New Orleans- hemed luncheon and production featuring nationally renowned performer Tony Orlando and complimented by the rhythm n’ blues Houston vocalist, Yvonne Washington and her band. The
pink and teal event will culminate with a celebratory Promenade of Courage, an inspiring moment when cancer survivors take center stage as warriors against the disease.

A devoted “Gift of Life” board member and volunteer and a well-respected Southeast Texas attorney, Julie Richardson Procter passed away in April, 2011, after a courageous battle with ovarian cancer, a silent disease with vague symptoms that will this year affect more than 25,000 women, over half of whom will lose their lives. Although Procter’s cancer was diagnosed at an advanced stage, she approached each day with optimism and grace, hoping that her illness would
serve as a meaningful platform to educate more women about the risks and symptoms of ovarian cancer.

“We look forward to commemorating the life of Julie, whose extraordinary story of strength will inspire bravery and hope among those who are suffering and provide comfort for them and their families,” said Regina Rogers, “Gift of Life” founder and chair. “She was a remarkable woman with a generous and caring heart, giving much of her time to support local causes and help people in need. We envision the Julie Richardson Procter Ribbon Run/Walk becoming an annual
event that will establish an everlasting legacy.”

According to the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, the public is still largely unfamiliar with ovarian cancer, which is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related death among women, and is the deadliest of all gynecologic cancers. Ovarian cancer has vague and common symptoms that are often misdiagnosed. An early, correct ovarian cancer diagnosis greatly increases a woman’s chances of survival so it is important for women to be aware of the symptoms, such as bloating and abdominal pain, and risk factors, such as family history and not taking birth control pills or hormone therapy.

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among women with 232,620 new cases expected in 2011. The “Gift of Life” Breast Cancer Program annually makes available 1,800
or more free mammograms and clinical breast exams for medically underserved women and extensive educational programming on breast health for young and adult women throughout Southeast Texas. The lives of more than 120 women have been extended since the inception of the organization’s free Mammogram Screening Initiative in 1994, and already this year, six clients have been
diagnosed with breast cancer and are being navigated into treatment.

Early 5K Fun Run/Walk registration fees (now through September 19) are $25 with Student rates (18 and under) at $5 and Race Day registration at $30. Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are also available for All That Jazz and Tony Orlando.

For more information about the Julie Richardson Procter Ribbon Run/Walk or All That Jazz and Tony, please call the “Gift of Life” at 409-833-3663 or visit giftoflifebmt.org.

Our location in Deerbrook Mall will be hosting Karaoke Night every Wednesday, 7-10 p.m. beginning August 3rd! Enjoy our great happy hour specials 3 - 7 p.m., like our $1.99 House Margaritas and stay to sing your heart out. Karaoke will be provided by Selby Entertainment, www.selbyentertainment.net.

Visit your local participating Casa Olé July 28 - August 14 to find out how you can enter the Sizzling Summer Fun Fiesta! We've teamed up with Coca-Cola to bring you this instant win game in which you can win Schlitterbahn Galveston tickets, Six Flags tickets to any Six Flags in the country, a FREE large order of Sopapillas or a FREE Coca-Cola product from Casa Olé! This is just a small token of appreciation to our wonderful customers. Thank you for visiting us through the years and making our casa, your casa. 

Particpating locations include: 

1520 E. Southmore Pasadena, TX 77502

2726 Spencer Highway Pasadena, TX 77504

1020 Federal Rd. Houston, TX 77015

12350 Gulf Freeway Houston, TX 77034

5920-A Hwy 6 North Houston, TX 77084 

12203 Murphy Rd Stafford, TX 77477 

20131 Highway 59 N. Humble, TX 77338

2010 Westview Conroe, TX 77304

2727 John Ben Sheppard Odessa, TX 79762

4413 South Loop 289 Lubbock, TX 79424

5705 4th Street Lubbock, TX 79416

3121 Palmer Highway Texas City, TX 77590

7800 N. Navarro Victoria, TX 77904

3111 S. 31st St. Temple, TX 76502

1013 W. University Georgetown, TX 78628

2730 E. Hwy. 190 Copperas Cove, TX 76522

1500 Harvey College Station, TX 77840

2608 Highway 36 S. Brenham, TX 77833

414 N. Valley Mills Dr. Waco, TX 76710

725 North Loop 340 Bellmead, TX 76705

3201 Freedom Blvd. Bryan, TX 77802

4801 Twin City Hwy. Port Arthur, TX 77640

3100 Hwy 365-172 Port Arthur, TX 77640

1717 16th Street Orange, TX 77630

2120 North Wheeler Jasper, TX 75951

335 IH-10 North Beaumont, TX 77706

5898 Eastex Freeway Beaumont, TX 77708

915 Hwy 96 South Silsbee, TX 77656

1015 North Main St. Vidor, TX 77662

1700 Ruth St. Sulphur, LA 70663

4058 Ryan St. Lake Charles, LA 70605

Participants must be 18 or older and residents of Texas or Louisiana to play. 

Two Casa Ole locations, 3121 Palmer Highway in Texas City and 1520 Southmore Ave. in Pasadena, had the pleasure of assisting two local elementary schools with their final fundraising efforts of the school year.

Casa Ole Texas City held a fundraiser flyer day for Kohfeldt Elementary School May 19. Combined with to-go orders and dine in guests, the fundraiser successfully raised more than $200 for the school’s Parent Teacher Organization.

Ginger Cooper, campus secretary, said the whole day was fun for the faculty, staff and parents.

“The staff was so helpful and the food was delicious. Jake, the manager, could not have been more professional and pleasant to work with, which made our teacher lunch orders much easier to accomplish. They took our early orders and unlocked the doors before they opened at 11 a.m.” she said. “They have been the only restaurant in Texas City that accommodated us in that way.”

Jake Abernathy, manager at the Texas City location, said the experience was great for him and his staff as well.

“Ginger was awesome to work with,” he said. “Our staff worked really well together to make this successful, especially while getting the to-go orders placed and filled correctly.”

Casa Ole on Southmore in Pasadena hosted a fundraiser for Sparks Elementary School June 1. This fundraiser was also successful and produced a near $70 donation to the school’s PTO.

Virginia Martinez, assistant manager at this location, said the restaurant stayed busy with supporters of the school throughout the lunch and dinner hours, and she and her staff enjoyed meeting and working with patrons of the school.

Kay Riggs, school secretary at Sparks, said that the school is looking forward to continuing it's participation in the fundraising program.

"We have gotten great feedback from the staff," she said. "We will definitely do this again because everybody loves Casa Ole."

Casa Ole consistently works with non-profit organizations as a partner in their fundraising efforts. There are two ways to fundraise – with our Fundraiser Flyer Days, as the schools previously mentioned participated in, and with our Fundraising Certificate sales. For more information about either of these programs, please contact Elizabeth Zapach at ezapach@mexicanrestaurantsinc.com.