40NORTH Restaurant Group, the full-service division of Villa Restaurant Group, owned by New Jersey’s own Scotto Family, today announced fundraising efforts across the 11 restaurants throughout New Jersey in its portfolio in honor of World Down Syndrome Day. On Thursday, March 21, 40NORTH Restaurants throughout the state will raise money for Gigi’s Playhouse, a network of Down Syndrome Achievement Centers throughout the United States and Mexico.

40NORTH is committed to donating 15% of food sales from each guest’s check to Gigi’s Playhouse if the guest dines at the restaurant in wild, crazy socks and shows them off to their server. Wild and crazy socks became synonymous with Down Syndrome Awareness after John Lee Cronin, a young man with Down Syndrome, founded John’s Crazy Socks to raise funds for and spread awareness of Down Syndrome related causes.

“Down Syndrome Awareness is a cause that is very close to our hearts,” says Steve Baliva, vice president of operations, 40NORTH Restaurants. “Being able to give back to the communities that support our network of restaurants by raising funds for an organization as amazing as Gigi’s Playhouse is an honor, and one we’re happy to have this year on World Down Syndrome Day.”

100% of the funds raised on March 21 across the 11 participating restaurants will be donated to Gigi’s Playhouse to help provide free, life-changing therapeutic, educational and career training programs for 30,000+ individuals of all ages, empowering families by maximizing opportunities for daily achievement and lasting acceptance.

Participating restaurants include The Office Tavern Grill in Ridgewood, Summit and Morristown, New Jersey, Piattino: A Neighborhood Bistro in Summit and Mendham, New Jersey, The Black Horse Tavern & Pub in Mendham, New Jersey, TOWN bar + kitchen and George + Martha’s American Grille in Morristown, New Jersey, Café Villa in Chatham, New Jersey and The Office Beer Bar & Grill in Montclair, New Jersey.