Austin business owner, cancer survivor raising funds to help kids battling cancer

Published

1 year ago

June 12, 2023

Austin business owner, cancer survivor raising funds to help kids battling cancer

Mr. Gatti’s Pizza franchise owner Bill Boone has battled and beaten prostate cancer, skin cancer and leukemia. He now wants to help kids do the same.

AUSTIN, Texas – An Austin business owner and cancer survivor is helping kids with cancer and their families.

Mr. Gatti’s Pizza franchise owner Bill Boone has helped raise almost a million dollars for the Periwinkle Foundation.

In 1975, Bill Boone was a lawyer for Mr. Gatti’s Pizza, writing the original franchise agreement and eventually becoming a full-time franchisee himself.

Boone then started having some medical issues. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1998.

“When you somebody says you have cancer, that’s a pretty scary word,” Boone said.

He had prostate cancer surgery and received a clean bill of health, but then he was diagnosed with chronic leukemia and different skin cancers.

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During the celebration of the new aerial ladder for Jarrell Fire Rescue, one firefighter who is battling cancer attended with his family.

“I’m very fortunate that I’ve gone to good doctors through the years and most everything I’ve had has been caught in the early stages, and that’s really the key to successful survival,” Boone said.

Now he wants to help others. Boone is raising funds to help children with cancer and their families.

“I thought pizza and kids, that’s perfect, right,” Boone said. “So if you come in, we’ll say if you’ll give me $2 to benefit kids with cancer, I’ll give you a $2 coupon for your next visit.”

In the past 15 years, Boone has raised about $900,000 for the Periwinkle Foundation.

“Their goal is to create programs that will positively benefit children and families with cancer that are being treated by Texas Children’s Hospital,” Boone said.

The money raised helps send children and their families to camp.

“The kids at camp are underprivileged, with cancer, some of them homeless,” Boone said. “It will bring tears to your eyes.”

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On the last day of camp, it’s a pizza party.

“We take a mobile Mr. Gatti’s Pizza wagon down there and set it all up and cook Mr. Gatti’s pizza for all the kids at camp,” Boone said. “They seem to enjoy that.”

Donations are accepted at every Mr. Gatti’s Pizza store.

“These kids are having a tough enough time without the cancer, so you throw the cancer on top of that, and it’s really rewarding to try to do what you can to help them,” Boone said.

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Texas boasts 10 restaurants on OpenTable’s top 100 list for 2024

Published

8 hours ago

November 24, 2024

Press Room

Texas boasts 10 restaurants on OpenTable’s top 100 list for 2024

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas had a strong showing on OpenTable’s 2024 Top 100 Restaurants with 10 establishments making the list.

What You Need To Know

The best foodie city in Texas, at least according to OpenTable, was Austin, with seven restaurants making the list

The rest of Texas’ major metropolitan areas–Houston, Dallas and San Antonio–each only had one restaurant on the list

OpenTable compiles its top 100 list every year by looking at diner reviews from its 14 million verified users

The Lone Star State had the second-most restaurants on the list, tied with Illinois, behind California, which had a whopping 19 restaurants featured.

The best foodie city in Texas, at least according to OpenTable, was Austin, with seven restaurants making the list.

Aba – Austin
J Carver’s
Jeffrey’s Restaurant
Red Ash Italia
Sammie’s Italian
Uchi Austin
Uchiko Austin

The rest of Texas’ major metropolitan areas–Houston, Dallas and San Antonio–each only had one restaurant on the list.

Steak 48 – Houston
Signature – San Antonio
Hudson House – Lovers Lane – Dallas

OpenTable compiles its top 100 list every year by looking at diner reviews from its 14 million verified users.

According to OpenTable’s website, restaurants with enough reviews are automatically considered and are evaluated by their ratings, percentage of five-star reviews, number of alerts set, percentage of reservations made in advance, percentage of capacity and direct searches.

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Austin, TX

‘Superman!’ Jelani McDonald Proves to Be Crucial Piece to Texas Longhorns Defense

Published

17 hours ago

November 24, 2024

Press Room

‘Superman!’ Jelani McDonald Proves to Be Crucial Piece to Texas Longhorns Defense

AUSTIN — Texas defensive back Jelani McDonald made his mark in the Longhorn secondary on Saturday.

McDonald recorded his first career interception, and it was one for the books.

With five minutes left in the first half as Texas led 14-7, Kentucky had possession. The crowd went wild as McDonald dove for the ball to get possession back to the Longhorn offense. Commentators described the play as a “Superman” performance.

WENT FULL SUPERMAN FOR THIS PICK 👀🤯@TexasFootball x 📺 ABC pic.twitter.com/ZV5AxOSWo7
— Southeastern Conference (@SEC) November 23, 2024
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McDonald’s teammates also had their takes on the play.

“Superman…I mean everybody knows how athletic Jelani is, we’ve been talking about that all season, and even tied back to last season,” Michael Taaffe said. “He’s so athletic. I’m glad he finally got to show that and for you all to see, because we’ve known that forever.”

McDonald has totaled 22 tackles this season, playing in every conference and two non-conference games.

While he’s not a name on everyone’s mouths, like Quinn Ewers, Isaiah Bond, Taaffe or Kelvin Banks Jr., McDonald proved once and for all his impact on the team. McDonald could very much have a breakout season in 2025, and this play, which recorded Texas’ 16th interception of the season taking the national record, opened up the doors for his campaign.

That pick could even be awarded play of the year.

“I’ve been just happy to see him grow and get better as a player,” Anthony Hill Jr., who played with McDonald in the Freshman All-American game, said.

“He was playing corners, so I was like ‘Who’s this guy,’ and then one the game, he’s playing linebackers, and at one game he’s playing safety,” Hill said.

McDonald has one more shot to showcase his talent in the regular season as Texas faces Texas A&M next Saturday. But with two years left of eligibility, the sky is the limit.

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Other Texas Longhorns News:

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Austin, TX

No. 3 Texas ends UK’s bowl chances

Published

1 day ago

November 23, 2024

Press Room

AUSTIN, Tx. (WKYT) – The Kentucky Wildcats (4-7, 1-7 SEC) ended their SEC slate with a 31-14 loss on the road against the No. 3 Texas Longhorns (10-1, 6-1 SEC). For the first time in eight seasons, UK will not be bowl eligible.

Junior quarterback Brock Vandagriff started the game for the Cats, going 3-7 for 51 yards, one touchdown and one interception. The staff opted to once against start true freshman Cutter Boley in the second half. The LCA alum wet 10-18 for 160 yards and an interception in the loss.

The Wildcats went 1-2 in the red zone and just 2-12 on third down conversions.

Senior inside linebacker Jamon Dumas-Johnson had a 25-yard fumble return for a touchdown, and also led the defense in tackles with eight.

Texas junior QB Quinn Ewers went 20-31 for 191 yards and two touchdowns for the Longhorns.

The season concludes next week as Kentucky hosts the Governor’s Cup game against Louisville at Kroger Field. Kick-off is set for noon on the SEC Network.

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