According to many sources, the 14th annual Quail Valley Charity Cup Week has topped all the others in terms of participation and donations. And that’s saying something. Since 2002, Quail Valley Charities has contributed more than $4 million to support children and their education; $500,000 last year alone. The week-long event, which this year will provide grants to 33 local charities, is something the entire community can and does buy into in one fashion or another.
“It’s another great start. The whole week is sold-out, basically,” said Steve Mulvey, Quail Valley Golf Club CEO, at the Kickoff 5K Walk/Run. “The member contributions are far exceeding what we’ve had in the past. We’ll certainly meet our goal and maybe exceed it.”
Of their new Royal Palm Pointe clubhouse due to open in July, he added, “A lot of people stop by and the first thing they ask about is Quail Valley Charities.”
This past week, at Monday’s Gourmet Wine and Guest Chef Dinner, six adorable youngsters were added to the mix.
“It’s a chef and child theme. We just put a different twist on it this year,” said QVGC partner and general manager Kevin Given, explaining that six children ages 6 to 13 were each paired with a chef to help prepare and present the elegant six-course dinner. Each mini-chef was given a personalized chef’s coat and balanced a tall toque blanche atop their head.
“It’s going great; better than I’d expected,” said Quail’s executive chef Joe Faria, paired with Marti Ladd, 10.
Another pairing was a family affair, with Jamison Jones, 7, paired with his father, Quail’s executive sous chef Brian Jones. When asked what he enjoyed most, Jamison smiled shyly and said, “I got to cook with my dad.”
On Saturday, chef Brian Jones shared, “He wanted to wear his coat to school the next day. That was his first question when he woke up.”
The Heart to Art Show and Heart to Art Jewelry Show at Palm House Gallery featuring 38 local artists opened with a cocktail reception Tuesday and ran through the week. Artists donated between 30 percent and 100 percent to the charity.
“It is such an honor to bring all of these artists together,” said Palm House Gallery owner Emily Tremml. “It’s just fun looking out over the crowd and seeing all the artists and all the philanthropists together.”
“I really think that what she does is bring the arts community together; that blending of all their talents is what makes it work,” said Charity Cup chairwoman Wanda Lincoln.
“Bridge was oversold within two weeks of the announcement and we had 30 on a wait-list,” said Debbie Brower of Wednesday’s Duplicate Bridge Game. “It was the largest crowd to date.”
Wednesday also featured the Grand Winemaker Tasting and was the first day of the Charity Cup Tennis Tournaments, which unfortunately were washed out on Friday, along with that day’s Charity Cup Golf Tournament. Both continued Saturday.
The successful week culminated with members, guests and representatives of the various charities coming together for the Grand Gala Cocktail Buffet and Auction. Attendees enjoyed copious buffets with an international theme, made final bids on 110 silent auction items, and took a chance on winning the $5,000 grand prize in the Glitzy Chances raffle. Later in the evening, John Moore presided as auctioneer to entice bidders to become members of the select 2016 Covey of Quail Society.
“It’s the best year ever for sure,” said Quail Valley Charities executive director Martha Redner. “We had issues with the weather, but everybody is so happy. I feel like we say that every year, but everything exceeded expectation.”
“We’re blessed; we’re really blessed,” added Charity Cup vice chairwoman Trudie Rainone.
