Pacific House Dessert & Chocolate Lovers Tasting Raises $105,000 for Homeless Young Adult Program

More than 550 chocolate and music enthusiasts gathered to indulge in a night of delicious sweets and great music at the 9th Annual Pacific House Dessert and Chocolate Lovers Tasting Event, held Friday, March 31st at the Hyatt Regency Greenwich. This decadent celebration was paired with a special student concert, To Each His Home, featuring talented musicians from Brunswick School, Greenwich Academy, Greenwich Country Day, Sacred Heart Greenwich, Stamford High School, Darien High School and King School. Greenwich High students participated as volunteers for the evening. The event raised $105,000 to support Pacific House’s new Young Adult Program for homeless youths ages 18-24.

“Connecting the students to an event that raises money for their homeless peers really hit home for them,” said Andrew Barer, Pacific House Director of Development & Communications. “We are indebted to the schools, teachers, students, chocolatiers, bakeries, restaurants, attendees, supporters and sponsors that helped to make the evening a tremendous success, and because of this event, we can help many, many more young adults.”

Guests enjoyed a wide variety of chocolate treats and savory bites. This event was the 4th time participating for Le Rouge Chocolates by Aarti of Westport, which offered tastes of their signature truffles, ganache cakes and artfully decorated Easter eggs.

“My Mom is one of the most charitable people there is,” said Rishav of his mother Aarti Khosla, who sported a recently fashioned St. Baldrick’s haircut. “People should participate, we should do everything we can do,” said Khosla.

First time participants Filicori Zecchini of Greenwich echoed that sentiment. “This event fits well with our giving mission, said Cynthia Chovet as she offered delicious espresso and chocolates imported from Italy. “This is a family business that believes in stewarding for the next generation.”

Taking care of the next generation is what Pacific House’s new Young Adult Program is all about. Last year, Pacific House, which operates an emergency shelter for homeless men and young adults from Greenwich, Stamford, Darien, New Canaan and beyond, began a Young Adult Program in response to the significant number of young adults they were seeing in the shelter. Sixteen young men, who have nowhere to live, are currently calling the shelter home. Some are still in high school, commuting to school from the shelter, while others are getting help with finding a job and a place to live. The aim is for all kids in the program to be connected with housing, employment, education and services that can prevent a lifetime of homelessness.

Event attendee and filmmaker Francesca Bogdan, owner of event sponsor Creative Video Corporation, said, “I first volunteered at Pacific House at age 24, serving food at the shelter, and was very inspired. I fell in love with the concept of people conquering their problems, and then becoming part of the community of helping others. I wanted to be a part of a solution like that.” Robb Caster, V.P. of Marketing for Harbor Point, said “We’ve been supporting Pacific House since 2007. We’re developing the south end, and participating in Pacific House events is a good thing for the community.”

Pacific House would like to thank all of the generous event sponsors, including: Debby & Mark Blackman, Olympus Partners, Harbor Point, The Fred & Joan Weisman Fund, First County Bank, The Francis J. Connor Family, Stamford Hospital Foundation, First Congregational Church of Greenwich, NEBCO, Purdue Pharma, L.P., Shoprite, Ladies Philoptochos Society of Stamford, CT, Laurence & Michelle Allen, Marie & Thomas Metz, as well as media partners: Fairfield County Look, Stamford Magazine, 95.9 the Fox, CTbites and Hey Stamford. Additional thanks are extended to all the schools and students who participated in the event, including: Brunswick School, Darien High School, Greenwich Academy, Greenwich Country Day, Greenwich High School, King School, Sacred Heart Greenwich and Stamford High School. Thanks are also extended to supporters Creative Video Corp, Sympl Co., Janie Bakes, Art & Soul, Kaiayoga and Greenwich Music.

Vendors that participated in the 9th Annual Dessert and Chocolate Lovers Tasting Event included: A Chef’s Choice, Alina’s Patisserie, Aux Delices, Bad Louie’s Fudge, Bianco Rosso, Body Armor, Chocolate Works Darien, Craft 14 kitchen + Bar, CT Cookie Co., Dessert Proof, Eventi Café, Filicori Zecchini, The Granola Bar, Greenwich Staffing, Izzi B’s Allergen Free Bakery, Janie Bakes, La Fenice Gelateria, Le Pain Quotidien, Le Rouge Chocolates by Aarti, Longford’s Ice Cream, Maple Craft Foods, NEAT, Swoon Gluten Free Bakery, Whipped Up/Unbakeables and Wholistic Nut.

About Pacific House Pacific House is the only regional men’s emergency shelter, serving the towns of Greenwich, Stamford, New Canaan, Darien and beyond. Since 1985 the organization has served our area by providing food, temporary shelter and an array of support services to homeless men and young adults, including workforce development, recovery programming, and job readiness training. Shelter case managers work with each individual, helping them obtain housing and becoming more self-sufficient. Visit www.PacificHouse to learn more, or to make a donation.

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Submitted by Stamford, CT

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