News - Local News

POSTED: Thursday, Nov. 27, 2008

Restaurant treats Big Brothers Big Sisters families

BELLINGHAM - At Fino Wine Bar, in the fancy Chrysalis Inn & Spa, an appetizer of chicken-serrano croquettes, albondigas and sherried prawns runs $12.50. An entrée of hazelnut-crusted halibut with autumn vegetable ragout and brie-whipped potatoes runs $27.50.

It's not somewhere a single parent can likely often afford to take his or her children, said Charlene Paz, a Bellingham resident who is divorced and who has four children.

But on Thanksgiving, Paz and her ex-husband Francisco Paz brought their children in for a free, traditional Thanksgiving meal at the restaurant.

"This is the first time we've eaten out, as a whole family, the whole year," she said, as three of her children played around a table in the inn's lounge after the meal.

Restaurant owners Mick and Cheryl August served free three-course, traditional Thanksgiving meals to families with children who have mentors in the local Big Brothers Big Sisters program. Local companies donated food, and about 20 restaurant employees donated their time to serve about 20 families.

They're families with a single parent; some have a parent in prison. The Big Brothers Big Sisters program pairs the children with role models of the same gender who spend time with them and do activities the children normally wouldn't.

"They've having a tough time. Maybe they don't need it, but feel we can give them a bright moment," Mick August said, between greeting and seating families. He ensured children got candy and stuffed animals on their way out.

Francisco Paz, a Lynden resident, called it a good experience for their children.

"It's the best presentation and intention I've ever seen," he said.

Three of their children, Chris, 11, Sophia, 8, and Ben, 6, participate in Big Brother Big Sisters. At Fino, Chris enjoyed using binoculars to look from his table onto Bellingham Bay and the islands. He played for the Boys and Girls Club football team Sunset Car Wash this year as a tackle and free safety (he played more positions during practice, he notes). Even though his Big Brother mentor, a Montessori middle school teacher, doesn't have a car, and even though games were held around the county, the mentor still attended seven of Chris' eight games.

Sophia said her Big Sister mentor, a senior studying psychology at Western Washington University, invited her over and let her watch "Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story." They also went to Build-A-Bear at Bellis Fair mall, she said.

"I like this place because the apple cider is good," she said, holding a new stuffed animal. "And the food is good."

For the Paz family, Fino has become a Thanksgiving tradition. Each year, the restaurant offers free meals to participants of different organizations. They've often been members of those organizations, Charlene Paz said.

"It's a neutral place to come and enjoy our kids," she said. "I think we've created a nice little tradition."