Restaurant Rallies For Templo

Big City Diner plans fundraisers May 29 and June 18 for its former cook, Melarie Templo, who is struggling with brain cancer.

Templo, 23, was diagnosed in December with astroblastoma, a rare glial tumor found in her cerebrum, which controls voluntary movement. She has been on leave from Big City’s Kailua restaurant since then and also has lost her medical coverage.

“It’s our sincere hope that we can once again deliver on helping a special individual,” said vice president Water Enriquez Jr., referring to the local restaurant chain’s many charitable causes. “In this case it really hits home for all of us here, and after years of being a part of the community we hope they can find it in their hearts to support us and our very own.”

People can help by downloading a special flier at bigcitydiner.com and bringing it on those two dates to any of the chain’s five locations – Waipio, Pearlridge, Kaimuki, Kailua and Ward. When the flier is redeemed, the restaurant will donate 20 percent of the meal check to Templo’s medical fund. The Kailua eatery also will donate 20 percent of its total receipts May 29 and June 18 to cover her medical expenses.

Donations by check to Big City Diner, memo Melanie Templo, are welcome at the restaurant’s corporate office, 94-800 Ukee St. Suite 305, Waipahu, HI 96797.