The Tug McGraw Foundation Hosts 'An Evening with Tim McGraw and Friends'

YOUNTVILLE, Calif., Sept. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- GRAMMY® award-winning musician, Tim McGraw, and renowned chef, Michael Chiarello, will bring their talents to the Tug McGraw Foundation's annual event to raise awareness for individuals battling brain tumors and other neurological conditions.  This year the Tug McGraw Foundation will host a two-day event in Napa Valley that will unite the worlds of music, food and wine while honoring people, including the nation's military service members, who have been affected by brain tumors, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI) and other conditions.

"Napa was home to Tug. This year's event and the opening of TMF's new headquarters is a coming home celebration," said Tim McGraw, honorary chairman of the Tug McGraw Foundation. "I'm impressed by the accomplishments and impact TMF has made in the lives of those affected by these illnesses and honored to be part of this event and the organization."  

This year's event will kick off Friday, Nov. 12 with the "Songwriters and Storytellers" dinner at the Gargiulo Vineyards. The Gargiulo family and Tim McGraw will host a private dinner at the family vineyard for sponsors prepared by Chef Max Duley and paired with Gargiulo wines.

Saturday events will begin with a groundbreaking ceremony of TMF's new headquarters and the "Ya Gotta Believe" pathway. Following this ceremony, The Pathway Home, an organization that provides support and treatment for active and recently discharged service members suffering from PTSD and TBI, including those veterans from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, will host its Graduation Day Celebration. These events will take place at the Veterans Home of California in Yountville at 11 a.m.

The program will culminate the night of Saturday, Nov. 13 with "An Evening with Tim McGraw and Friends." Starting at the world renowned Chef Michael Chiarello's local restaurant, Bottega, attendees will enjoy a private cooking demonstration and strolling dinner. Following dinner, sponsors, supporters, locals and Veterans will join together for an awards celebration at the Lincoln Theater on the grounds of the historic Veterans Home of California, Yountville and the new home of the Tug McGraw Foundation. This celebration will feature a special performance by Tim McGraw and his band, the Dancehall Doctors. In addition, the Silverado Pickups, a popular Napa Valley band, will perform. This garage band is comprised of musicians hailing from some of Napa's finest wineries including: David Duncan, President of Silver Oak Winery and Jeff Gargiulo, founder of Gargiulo Vineyards.

Funds raised from "An Evening with Tim McGraw and Friends" will benefit programs local to the Napa community and beyond, including:

• The Pathway Home Program at the California Transition Center for Care of Combat Veterans
• Tug McGraw Foundation's Brain Complex and Brain Food Garden in Yountville
• Team McGraw, TMF's national endurance sports training program
• The Collegiate Athlete Pre-Medical Experience (CAPE) program at Duke University

In addition, TMF will continue to support national awareness programs and projects focused on improving quality of life for individuals affected by debilitating neurological conditions such as brain tumors, TBI and PTSD.

To Purchase tickets

For sponsorship information and tickets, please visit www.mcgrawandfriends.org.

About Bottega

Chef Michael Chiarello steps back into his clogs at Bottega Restaurant in Yountville, California, in the heart of the Napa Valley. Bottega, "artist's workshop," will serve as Chiarello's own craftsman's kitchen, from which he celebrates deep culinary roots.

Chef Chiarello is acclaimed chef, Emmy-winning host of Food Network's Easy Entertaining, tastemaker behind NapaStyle, and proprietor of Chiarello Family Vineyards, as well as a longtime Napa Valley resident.

Bottega showcases Chiarello's signature bold Italian flavors with a refined twist. Bottega's menu highlights the bounty of artisanal and house made ingredients, as well as local produce. Bottega is part of the historic Vintage Estates, located in one of the oldest wineries in the Napa Valley, and is open for lunch, dinner, and after dinner. For more info, go to: www.botteganapavalley.com

About TMF

The Tug McGraw Foundation was established prior to his death in 2004 to enhance the quality of life of children and adults with brain tumors. In 2009, TMF expanded its programs to include Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). The Tug McGraw Foundation collaborates and partners with other organizations so that they can accelerate new treatments and cures to improve quality of life in areas of physical, social, emotional, cognitive, and spiritual impact of those debilitating conditions. For more information visit www.tugmcgraw.org.

SOURCE Tug McGraw Foundation