By Kathianne Boniello
Uncle Jack's Steakhouse at 39-40 Bell Blvd. will donate all proceeds from Monday's business to relief efforts and will hold a silent sports auction at 7 p.m. The event is being organized by Degel and manager Mark Viggiano.
The beneficiaries of the Uncle Jack's event include the New York Firefighters 911 Disaster Relief Fund and the state's World Trade Center fund.
Consistently named one of the top five steak house's in the city by the Zagat's survey, Uncle Jack's is what Degel describes as high- class, fine dining that attracts an elite clientele, including Mayor Rudolph Giuliani.
Degel, who noted in a news release that a number of his customers have been missing since Sept. 11, said the fund-raiser was a way for the restaurant to help aid the relief efforts since the attacks that toppled the World Trade Center. Hundreds of city firefighters, police officers, emergency services workers and rescue personnel have been missing since the collapse.
“As with countless others in our community, we've all been deeply affected by this tragedy,” Degel said. “Firefighters, police, EMS workers, businessmen and women, they are all a part of the fabric of our community. This is the least we can do.”
Profits from the restaurant's sales as well as staff wages and tips will be donated to the fund-raiser, which runs from 11:30 a.m. Monday until Uncle Jack's closes, Degel said.
Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik and Fire Department Commissioner Thomas Von Essen were slated to attend, Degel said.
The sports auction, Degel said, will have sports memorabilia, electronics, televisions, cell phones and cars donated by local car dealerships, including Helms Bros. in Bayside.
The restaurant will also be collecting money for the New York Firefighters 911 Disaster Relief Fund and the state's World Trade Center fund until Oct. 14. Degel said Uncle Jack's would serve as a central Queens location for the two relief funds.
Reach reporter Kathianne Boniello by e-mail at Timesledgr@aol.com or call 229-0300, Ext. 146.
