Event Raises over $130,000 for Hôpital Sacré Coeur
Stewart and Eileen Ira with their granddaughter Marley
On January 15, almost 300 people braved a ghastly Jacksonville rain storm to attend A Taste of Haiti, held at the Haskell Building on Riverside Avenue. The revelers enjoyed a lively, fun filled evening of live music, food, and carnival games.
Riverfront Café and Catering offered tantalizing treats: a gourmet cheese board with Baked Brie and their signature torta, fresh asparagus tartlets, sweet and tangy meatballs, Mojo shredded pulled pork, roasted potatoes and sweet plantains. A Caribbean steel drum band kept the beat going as people played five different games hoping to bring home one of the over 200 prizes, including artwork, jewelry, vacation packages, restaurant and retail gift cards and a mind boggling array of home items.
Local retailers generously donated the fabulous items. Many thanks to Underwood’s Jewelers, Hooshang Oriental Rug, Chase Properties, Alhambra Theatre & Dining, Robert’s Fine Jewelry, Constellation Brands, Taverna Restaurant, Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, Metro Diner, Bold City Brewery, Riverside Liquors, The Club Continental on the St. Johns River, Rio Hair Studio, Olive Garden Restaurant, Peterbrooke Chocolatier, Grape and Grain Exchange Gourmet Package Store, Blue Fish Restaurant, BlackFinn AmeriPub, Kakes by Katie, Picasso’s Brick Restaurant, The Hilltop Club and Restaurant, Peterbrooke Chocolatier, Ellie Bing Jeweler, Bonos BBQ, The Fresh Market, Kickbacks Gastropub Restaurant, Noura Café, Moxie Kitchen + Cocktails, Target #1921, Holmes Stamp, Ragtime Tavern Seafood & Grill, University Car Wash, Biscottis Restaurant, Therapie Clothing Boutique, Winn Dixie, Yours Truly Antiques, Agnes Agatha Homemaker Store, Sake House Restaurant, Republic National Distributors Company — USA, Suzanne Schuenke, Costco, Cruisers Grill, Gotta Have it Boutique, Sam’s Club and Institution Ale Works.
Kirk & Lora Lewis, Bunky & Lillian Johnson
Michael and Shannon Roberts of Advanced Prosthetics and Orthotics set up a fascinating display showing how a prosthetic is made. People crowded around throughout the evening to learn about the process and to try on a prosthetic arm! With extraordinary generosity, Michael and Shannon donated a priceless gift certificate for the making of a prosthetic for one of the carnival games.
The organizing committee was supported by energetic and enthusiastic volunteers. Many thanks to: Pat and David Balanky, Ron Bergwerk, Joy Burney, Linda Crofton, Paul Dick, Ron Eckels, MaryLou Eckels, Betty Fipp, Carol Fipp, Robert Harris, Mallory Harris, Charlie Harris, Bob Hurley, Theresa Hurley, Loubens Jean-Louis, Bonnie, Jedrziewski, Dave Jedrziewki, Archie and Penny Jenkins, Jack Logue, Ellen Lovejoy, John Lovejoy, III, John and Harriet Lovejoy, Karrie Massee, John Mazur, MD. Scott Morzch, Alti Ndreka CPO/LPO, Ingrid Perdikis, Michael and Shannon Richards, Tim and Anise Traynor, Melinda Voss and the Bolles Students.
Jarvis Moore, Jill Gardere, Noraliza Jean-Louis, Gisella Nieto, Ryan Gardere, Loubens Jean-Louis and Dr. Harelle Duncan
Anita Dunford, Jane Condon and Carole Grimes
Dan & Suzy Wolff III
Many Thanks to our Major Sponsors!
Dr. and Mrs. Hudson Berrey
Brumos Motor Cars, Inc.
Mr. and Mrs. Joel Chamberlain
Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Chappell
Chase Properties, Inc.
Constellation Brands, Inc.
DAR Group Investments
Mr. and Mrs. George Gibbs III
Dr. and Mrs. Fahmy S. Gurgis
Hall-Halliburton Foundation, Inc.
Dr. and Mrs. William Hutchinson
Jack Becker Distributors, Inc.
Marietta Sand Corporation
Dr. and Mrs. John Mazur
Drs. Srihari and Rama Peri
Republic National Distributing Company
St. Vincent’s Healthcare
Specialized WorkComp Services, LLC
Dr. and Mrs. Joseph Utz
Michael J. Zambetti
Thank You Merrill Lynch!
The CRUDEM Foundation, Hôpital Sacré Coeur and most especially the patients we serve in northern Haiti offer our gratitude to Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith for their generous sponsorship donation to A Taste of Haiti Jacksonville.
Special thanks go to Merrill Lynch Community Foundation, Anthony S. Kurlas, Managing Director, Merrill Lynch; and Archie O. Jenkins, II.
Your kind donation has not just improved lives, but also saved lives.
 George Van Houten, Sue Martinez |
 Libba McKinnon, Nell Wachtel |
 Dawn Motes, Karrie Massee |
 Harriet Lovejoy, John Wachtel, Fran Moulder, Nell Wachtel who won the several thousand dollar earrings |
 Betty Fipp, Dr. John Lovejoy III |
 Willow Logue, Betty Fipp, Jill McGriff |
 Christy Bennett, Michelle Balanky, Kelly Pietan |
 Dr. Robert Still, Jane Still |
 Carole Fink, Betty Fipp, Dr. George Fink, Pat Balanky |
 Betty Fipp, Charlie & Katy Towers |
 Mike Richard, Jim Rinaman |
 Bruce and Mary Ethel Hinchliffe |
 Archie Jenkins II, Betty Fipp and friend |
 Pat Balaky, Gayle Balanky |
 Larry & Mary Jane McKnight, Harriet J Lovejoy |
 Melinda Voss and Carol Fipp |
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