House of Hope Special Event

Celebrity Bartender Event

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Celebrity bartenders and Taste restaurant in Hobe Sound served up a special event April 7, 2009, to raise funds for House of Hope.

Celebrity bartenders included (and pictured above, from left):

• Patrick Hayes, Martin County commissioner.

• Diane McKechnie, president of Martin County Republican Women, Federated.

• Frank Doyle, House of Hope board president.

• Dan Mackin, world-renowned artist from Hobe Sound.

• Allola McGraw, Hobe Sound's "own" fun philanthropist extraordinaire.

• Harry MacArthur of Harry & the Natives.

• J.C. Snead, professional golfer and Hobe Sound resident.

All tips and donations benefited clients and programs at House of Hope in Hobe Sound. The event raised $2,700 -- phenomenal for this first-time event. In addition to raising much needed funds, many new friends were made.

Attendees enjoyed hors d'oeuvres compliments of Taste restaurant and entertainment by Rick Moore on the piano.  There was a 50/50 raffle won by Denise Webber, who donated her $370 in winnings back to House of Hope. The event also featured a "Chinese raffle," and Terry O'Neil, the winner of a food gift basket that included a Winn Dixie gift card, also donated the prize back to House of Hope.

Karen & Craig Kingston, owners of Taste, said they gladly will host another such event for House of Hope in the future.

The fund-raiser is one of a series of special events to mark House of Hope’s 25^th anniversary. Founded in 1984, House of Hope provides food, clothing, household necessities, case management and emergency financial assistance for people trying to get back on their feet.

In normal economic times, low-wage workers and fixed-income seniors depend on House of Hope to fill the gaps in basic human needs. During the past two years, however, more and more middle income workers whose hours have been reduced or eliminated are turning to House of Hope to make ends meet.

For more information about House of Hope, call (772) 286-4673.