Western Beef Takes Aim at Angelman Syndrome

Supermarket chain Western Beef Inc. has teamed up with the Foundation for Angelman Syndrome Therapeutics (FAST) to help raise funds to find a cure for Angelman Syndrome (AS), a rare neurological disorder often misdiagnosed as cerebral palsy or autism. Western Beef will give its customers the opportunity to make $1 donations to FAST at checkout in its stores.

Additionally, the grocer presented “A Night for the Angels,” a fundraising gala whose proceeds benefited Downers Grove, Ill.-based FAST. Held Nov. 5 at the Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury, N.Y., the event featured a cocktail hour, an open bar, dinner, dancing, raffles, a silent auction and grand prizes. The successful evening attracted 350 attendees, including friends, family, and partners of Western Beef, as well as local families that have children with Angelman Syndrome, and raised $105,000, all of which went to the nonprofit organization.

“Western Beef is thrilled to be working with FAST and helping to find a cure for Angelman Syndrome,” said Peter Castellana III, co-owner of Ridgewood, N.Y.-based Western Beef, which operates 27 stores in New York, New Jersey and Florida.

One in 10,000 to 15,000 children are diagnosed with AS annually.