I am not one to brag about philanthropic endeavors, whether personal or professional, but every now and then, something touches me so deeply that I feel compelled to share. This is one of those moments.
For years, my family’s restaurant, Gene & Georgetti, has been proud to stand alongside Surge for Water, an incredible organization that provides sustainable, life-changing water solutions across the globe. Together, we’ve partnered to repair three wells and to provide menstrual health education and training for women in communities across Uganda and Indonesia. The impact? More than 4,500 lives positively changed through access to safe water, sanitation, hygiene, and education.
Surge for Water was founded in 2008 with a simple but powerful vision: a world where every person has access to safe water and proper sanitation. Today, their programs span more than a dozen countries, reaching communities in Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean. Their work doesn’t stop at providing clean water—they also invest in sanitation facilities, hygiene education, and menstrual health resources to empower women and children. By addressing these fundamental needs, Surge creates lasting solutions that uplift entire communities, helping them build healthier and more sustainable futures.
As a third-generation business owner, I often reflect on the values instilled in me by my family: community, generosity, and the responsibility to give back. While Gene & Georgetti has always been rooted in Chicago—serving our city since 1941—we also believe that the spirit of hospitality knows no boundaries. To us, “community” extends far beyond the walls of our dining room, reaching across oceans to places where safe water can transform not just a day, but an entire lifetime.
This September, we are honored to once again sponsor the Rhythms of Water Gala at Moonlight Studios in Chicago. At the event, guests will have the chance to sample dishes from our culinary team while also celebrating the essential truth that safe water helps communities sing, dance, and thrive. It’s a reminder that hospitality isn’t only about serving meals—it’s about serving humanity.
So today, I share this not as a brag, but as a reminder that doing good still makes a difference. And knowing that, I am even more determined to continue giving back, supporting organizations like Surge for Water, and putting positivity into the world—because when we each do our part, small ripples turn into waves of lasting change.
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