Restaurateurs to host Special Olympics fundraiser

Intermountain Catholic

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Debbie and Maurilio Izarraraz, who recently celebrated their 28th wedding anniversary, are the owners of Maurilio's Italian Cuisine in West Jordan. The couple has three children and eight grandchildren. IC photo/Marie Mischel

SALT LAKE CITY — When Maurilio Izarraraz came to the United States at the age of 15, his first job was picking grapes in a California field. Then he moved to Utah and began working as a dishwasher and busboy in restaurants before learning how to cook. Thirty years later, after a long stint as a chef at Baci Trattoria (now closed), he has achieved his version of the American dream: He is owner and chef of his own restaurant.

Along the way, he married, started a family, became a U.S. citizen and now "we want to be able to help and give back what America has given to him, and me as well," said his wife, Debbie Izarraraz.

One way they will do that is to host a fundraiser on April 23 at their restaurant for Special Olympics of Utah. The fundraiser has been organized by the Knights of Columbus Council 7961 of Saint Joseph the Worker Parish, where the Izarrarazs attend Mass.

Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

The Utah Knights of Columbus’ support for Special Olympics has grown over the years, said David F. Matyjasik, the fraternal Catholic organization’s Special Olympics coordinator.

When they started seven years ago, the Knights primarily provided honor guard members for Special Olympics events, but "last year, 23 councils and six assemblies worked on some kind of an activity or made a donation to Special Olympics, and we gave them $10,000, which brings us to a total of $42,000 over a seven-year period," Matyjasik said. "I get tremendous support from the Knights throughout the whole state."

He is particularly grateful for the restaurant owners who are willing to host the fundraisers because not all are, he said. "I have been turned down several times."

The most successful of these events was the most recent, at the Taylorsville Village Inn, which had more than 200 people participate, Matyjasik said. "We set a record, $778, which is enough money to sponsor three athletes for an entire year. The people came and supported it; they came from all over the valley, and that was really great. We had a remarkable turnout and an outstanding fundraiser. We couldn’t have asked for more."

In an effort to make the event at Maurilio’s Italian Cuisine at least as successful as that one, the restaurant will donate 20 percent of proceeds from the evening to Special Olympics.

"We want to give back to these young kids who don’t have a lot of opportunity or who have a special challenge, and we want to be able to let people know that we’re not just a family-owned business, we’re a business that wants to help anyone who wants to walk in our door and says, ‘Will you hold a fundraiser?’" said Debbie Izarraraz, a Utah native who has worked in the food service industry for more than 20 years.

The restaurant has hosted several fundraisers for the parish. Father Patrick Carley, pastor of Saint Joseph the Worker Parish, said the Izarrarazs are very cooperative about such events. He also likes to eat there. "The food is very good, and it’s moderately priced. And if you have any special requests, Maurilio will cook it up for you," he said.

The original Maurilio’s Italian Cuisine opened in 2007 at 9000 South and Redwood Road; the Izarrarazs moved the location to 3078 West 7800 South in West Jordan two years ago because it was a larger space, Debbie said.

Over the years, the restaurant menu has evolved: As well as standard Italian fare and signature dishes such as artichoke chicken, they now offer some Mexican food items. One of the most recent additions is a homemade chocolate lava cake to the dessert menu, which includes crème brulee, among other offerings.

Two locations for Special Olympics ‘Dine to Donate’ on April 23

WHAT: Dine to Donate, sponsored by the Saint Joseph the Worker Council of the Knights of Columbus

WHEN: 5 to 9 p.m., Thursday, April 23

WHERE: Maurilio’s Italian Cuisine, 3078 West 7800 South, West Jordan

A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Special Olympics of Utah.

In addition to the Dine to Donate in West Jordan, another is scheduled for northern Utah.

WHAT: Dine to Donate, sponsored by the Cushnahan Assembly of the Knights of Columbus

WHEN: 5 to 9 p.m., Thursday, April 23

WHERE: Manuel’s El Burrito Restaurant and Cantina, 1145 S. State St., Clearfield

A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Special Olympics of Utah.