http://www.noas.com/ NOAS Events http://www.noas.com/news_show.asp?EVENT=31 <p>Northeast Ohio Adoption Services, (NOAS), and the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption will benefit from Cleveland’s 6th Annual Dave Thomas Celebrity Cookoff slated for September 23rd at Benihana The Japanese Steakhouse, 23611Chagrin Blvd., in Beachwood. <br><br>Local school children, girl scouts, and art students are already preparing, hand painting aprons with adoption themes for the celebrity chefs to wear. There will be media personalities, politicians, community leaders, and sports figures who will grill steak and shrimp tableside for participants. Each chef’s apron will be autographed and auctioned off after the two seatings for dinner served at 6:30 and 8:30. Local businesses and individuals plan to donate fundraising items. These will include vacations, sports memorabilia and tickets, fine dining coupons, collectables, gourmet items, art work and handicrafts for the silent auction bids culminating at 8:15 p.m. </p> <p><br>The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption is a nonprofit public charity dedicated to increasing the adoptions of the more than 118,000 children in the foster care system in the United States. Dave Thomas, founder of Wendy’s International, created the Foundation in 1992 in support of the vision that every child deserves a permanent home and a loving family. The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption focuses on increasing adoption awareness while supporting model adoption service programs. </p> Saturday, May 17, 200800:00 EST