Free Lasagna for Kids through June at Leona's for Children's Awareness Month June 12, 2009

In recognition of June being National Children's
Awareness Month, Leona's has teamed up with Variety - The Children's Charity
of Illinois to give parents extra incentive to spend quality time with their
kids. Throughout this month, kids 12 and under will receive Leona's new Mac
& Cheese Lasagna for FREE along with a collector's edition Variety Gold
Heart Pin* when they come in to dine at any of the 12 Chicagoland Leona's
restaurants with their folks as Leona's way of showing its support for
children's well-being (coupons can be printed at www.Leonas.com).

"Because children are vulnerable and impressionable at young ages, it is
important for parents to be cognizant of what their children are doing,
seeing, and learning," says Leon Toia, owner of Leona's, a family-friendly
Chicago institution for the past 60 years. Each year, the United States
Department of Health and Human Services designates June as Children's
Awareness Month, during which parents are urged to reflect upon the impact
they have upon their children and how it may affect their futures.

"By encouraging healthy family relationships," Toia continues, "Leona's is
continuing to demonstrate its commitment to children's well-being."

ABOUT THE NEW LASAGNAS:
Leona's new and original Mac & Cheese lasagna offering is a gourmet spin on
an American classic, with macaroni noodles, ricotta, Cheddar, Romano,
Asiago, covered in a thick and sharp cheddar sauce. "I wanted to get
outside the Italian genre and create something fun in the all-American
vein," says Toia.

In addition to the Mac & Cheese entrée, the rest of Leona's brand new
lasagna lover's menu consists of four signature lasagnas: Spinach and
Artichoke, 5 Cheese Lasagna Marinara, Italian Meats and Red and White - as
well as six additional creations containing decadent items such as:
* Five Cheese Lasagna with Tomato Cream & Romano Chicken
* Spinach & Artichoke Lasagna & Roasted Salmon
* Five Cheese Lasagna, Tomato Cream Sauce & Grilled Shrimp
* Italian Meats Lasagna & Homemade Big-A-Meat-Ball
* Red and White Lasagna with Roasted Portabella Mushroom
* Five Cheese Lasagna with Sun-Dried Tomatoes & Broccoli

In typical Leona's fashion, all lasagnas are generously sized and
bargain-priced, with most falling in the $12 range. * During the week, the
lasagna menu is available after 5 pm only.

ABOUT VARIETY:
A 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization, Variety the Children's Charity believes
every child deserves access to lead a full, active life. Through an array
of programs and fundraising endeavors, Variety of Illinois helps to give
children with disabilities the freedom and independence to live life and
fulfill their roles in society. Variety's signature fundraising initiative
is its annual Gold Heart Pin* campaign, where specially-designed gold heart
pins are sold at local movie theatres and worn by millions of people around
the world as symbols of their support for Variety. For more information,
visit www.varietyofillinois.org or call
312-822-0660.

ABOUT LEONA'S:
Leona's is a family owned restaurant that has been operating in Chicago
since 1950. Founded by Leona Molinaro in the Lakeview neighborhood 59 years
ago, the company has grown to 12 locations spread throughout Chicagoland and
are owned and operated by her grandsons who have held to a simple
philosophy: Good Food, Good Attitude! The menu is diverse and includes
homemade Italian, American and vegetarian friendly fare. For more info,
visit www.Leonas.com .

Official Website: http://www.leonas.com