For several years, Kristin Downing has made an annual donation to the ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI). ALS research is a cause that’s close to her heart — her late husband, Gary, passed away from the disease in 2017. She says that every year she sends her donation in the hope that it will help others access treatments or cures that weren’t available to him.
However, in 2025, an email from ALS TDI caught her eye. It was about a new way to support ALS research while earning a chance to win a unique, once-in-a-lifetime experience — a dinner for two, at any restaurant, anywhere in the world.
“I saw that there was this raffle and I said, ‘Well, that’s pretty cool,’” she remembers. “‘Why wouldn’t I just get a couple of tickets?’ So, I bought maybe 20 or 25, just based on the donation that I had already planned to make.”
Kristin didn’t think anything would come from her entry, so she was shocked when, a few weeks later, an email popped up in her inbox saying that her raffle entry had been selected. At first, she says that she assumed it was spam — she had never won anything like this before in her life. When she confirmed it was legitimate, her first call was to Joe Plonsky, an old high school friend she had been dating since they reconnected three years ago.
“You’ll never believe it,” she told him. “We’re going to have dinner, anywhere in the world.”
Planning the Trip of a Lifetime
As the winners of the Dinner for Two Anywhere in the World Raffle, Kristin and Joe had up to $5000 to spend on travel, accommodations, and an extravagant meal. With the whole world to choose from, they began narrowing down the list of possible destinations by consulting the Michelin Guide to the world’s greatest restaurants.
“My brother has lived in Spain for over 25 years,” says Joe, “so we started looking at Spanish restaurants on the list of three-star Michelin restaurants. I noticed one of them, El Celler de Can Roca, is in Girona, which is not far from this amazing town, Tossa de Mar, in the Costa Brava region. So, we decided to make a trip of it.”
Normally, the wait list for a reservation at El Celler de Can Roca is around three years, but Joe’s brother was able to use his local connections to get them a table for August 2026. With a destination and a date — which also coincided with this year’s total solar eclipse — they began planning an extended trip around their reservation.
An Eclipse, an Engagement, and an Unforgettable Meal
Kristin and Joe’s itinerary began in Madrid, followed by a train ride to Barcelona. They arrived there in time for the eclipse, which they took in an hour south of the city. As the moon blocked out the sun, Joe had a surprise for Kristin that would become the highlight of their trip.
“During that moment of totality, which they call the diamond ring effect, I proposed to Kristin,” says Joe, “and I was thrilled that she said yes. After that, we made our way up to Tosa de Mar and then went on to the dinner in Girona.”
With a whole new reason to celebrate, Kristin says that their dinner was the experience of a lifetime.
“The dinner was out of this world,” she says. “It was a four-hour presentation of tiny tasty dishes. The service was excellent, and we enjoyed every little taste and bite. There were 34 courses and 18 wine pairings. They had a little story to go along with each plate. It was something that neither of us had experienced before, and we’ll probably never experience again — it was unforgettable.”
Throughout their trip, the newly engaged couple also enjoyed art museums, architecture, and scenic beaches along their route. Kristin says that, while it was a vacation full of incredible memories, knowing that it was part of an effort to support ALS research made it even more meaningful.
“Participating in this raffle is such a great way to give back,” she says, “and to add some fun to charitable giving. I’m confident that the money raised is being used very, very wisely. Knowing it goes toward research makes the contest feel like something worthwhile to get involved with. We’re very thankful to all the people at ALS TDI who are working so hard to use our donations in the right way.”
Win Your Own Dinner Anywhere in the World
If Kristin and Joe’s story has you thinking about where you would choose to travel and what you’d like to eat if you had a similar opportunity, you’re in luck — tickets are now available for the 2026 Dinner Anywhere in the World Raffle. Tickets are $25 each, and all proceeds go to benefit ALS research at ALS TDI.
Tickets will be available until October 10 at 10:00 p.m. ET, when a winner will be drawn at ALS TDI’s White Coat Affair gala in Boston, MA. Attendance at the event is not required for entry.
To learn more about the Dinner Anywhere in the World Raffle and buy tickets, click here.
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