For the fourth year in a row, TGI Friday's restaurants across the greater New York and New England areas are serving up something special for NAAR. The restaurant chain has started its annual “Shake, Rattle and Roll” competition between bartenders, with the proceeds going to the Long Island Walk F.A.R. for NAAR. Bartenders compete to see who's the best. They are judged on the quality of the drink and their amazing acrobatics and juggling. The winners compete regionally, and then nationally. More than 1,000 Friday's employees at 25 restaurants are involved this year. The competition raises money through donations from the restaurants, vendors as well as from the auction of donated items. In addition, T.G.I. Friday's is having a Footprints campaign at many of its restaurants, where customers can purchase a NAAR Footprint for $1 or $5, by simply asking their server. For more information on Friday's and its locations, check their website www.tgifridays.com.

“We are proud to continue our support in helping the National Alliance for Autism Research raise money for such an important cause,” says Jim Mazany, T.G.I. Friday's Director of Operations, and Eastern Division. In its first three years, T.G.I. Friday's has raised more than $235,000 for autism research, and Mazany says he expects this year's sponsorship to be the best. Mazany is the father of a child with autism and a longtime supporter of NAAR and the Long Island Walk.

“T.G.I. Friday's is a fantastic community partner for Long Island NAAR,” says Mike Giangregorio, the 2005 Long Island Walk Chair. “Much of our continued success is due to the loyal support of T.G.I. Friday's and their employees”.

The restaurants competing include:

T.G.I. Friday's- Hauppauge
T.G.I. Friday's- Westbury
T.G.I. Friday's- Massapequa
T.G.I. Friday's- Lake Grove
T.G.I. Friday's- Riverhead
T.G.I. Friday's- West Nyack
T.G.I. Friday's- Farmingville
T.G.I. Friday's- Tarrytown
T.G.I. Friday's- Bay Shore
T.G.I. Friday's- Brooklyn
T.G.I. Friday's- Manhasset
T.G.I. Friday's- Forest Hills
T.G.I. Friday's- Rockville Centre
T.G.I. Friday's- Huntington Station

New England Locations

T.G.I. Friday's- Braintree
T.G.I. Friday's- Dedham
T.G.I. Friday's- Framingham
T.G.I. Friday's- Hyannis
T.G.I. Friday's- Norwell
T.G.I. Friday's- Norwood
T.G.I. Friday's- Providence ( Warwick)
T.G.I. Friday's- Seekonk

Thanks to everyone at T.G.I. Friday's for their tireless effort to raise awareness and money for autism research!!!