''Common Effort'' Aid Program for Hurricane Katrina Victims Launched by the Common Man Restaurants; Owner Alex Ray Sets Out on Road Trip to Gulf Coast to Assess Need and Offer Immediate Assistance, Announces Local Fund-raisers in New Hampshire.

ASHLAND, N.H. -- The owner of a dozen restaurants in New Hampshire is packing up a van with clothes, medical supplies and water and heading to Gulf Coast areas devastated by Hurricane Katrina to offer immediate help, while his staff stays behind to convert all 12 restaurants into aid sites for a two-night fund-raising event.

Alex Ray of Ashland, NH along with friend Cathy Bentwood of Plymouth, NH, who is a registered nurse and president of the Pemi Bridge House shelter, are mobilizing family, friends and staff to aid in the hurricane relief efforts. On Saturday, September 10, Ray will leave his Ashland home in a van filled with supplies, head to the Gulf Coast, and stop along the way wherever he sees people who need help. Bentwood is flying down to meet him on Tuesday, September 13.

"We need to get down there and see first hand where people are, what they are going through and how we can help," said Ray. "We'll drive as far in to affected areas as we can get, and if people need to be fed, we'll be prepared to do that."

Ray is bringing burners, pots and pans, clothing and supplies, and will keep an online diary of his journey on The Common Man Web site, www.thecman.com. He plans to stay in the affected areas for about two weeks, and then return to New Hampshire to discuss with his staff the next steps in offering assistance.

Meanwhile, staff will be preparing all Common Man-owned restaurants in New Hampshire for a two-night fund-raising event on Wednesday, September 21 and Thursday, September 22 as part of the "Common Effort" fund the family of restaurants has founded for hurricane relief.

All 12 restaurants will change format and host fund-raising dinners where 100 percent of the food proceeds from the evening will be donated to hurricane victims. Each restaurant will charge $20 per person and offer dinner including a salad, choice of one of four entrees, dessert and a non-alcoholic beverage.

"Our customers and staff are some of the most generous people we know, and many have asked how they can work with us to help hurricane victims," said Common Man CEO Jason Lyon. "The chance to offer them a state-wide event where they can come together in the spirit of charity and kindness, and benefit those who need us the most right now, was one we couldn't pass up."

The Common Man-owned restaurants which will be hosting the "Common Effort" fund-raising dinners are The Common Man signature restaurants in Ashland, Lincoln, Concord, Windham and Merrimack; The Italian Farmhouse and Foster's Steakhouse at The Common Man Inn, both in Plymouth; Tilt'n Diner in Tilton; and Lago, Camp, Town Docks and Lakehouse Grille in Church Landing at Mill Falls, all in Meredith.

For more information, call your local Common Man-owned restaurant or the main line at the offices in Ashland toll-free in New Hampshire at 800-649-7031, out of state at [phone], or visit www.thecman.com.