Quail Valley rolled out the red carpet at last Saturday evening’s Quail Valley Charities Grand Gala Cocktail Buffet and Auction, a fitting way to celebrate the culmination of the highly successful 15th annual Charity Cup Week. Funds raised from the event support 35 local nonprofits that have an emphasis on children and education. Last year’s activities enabled Quail Valley Charities to issue a record-breaking $511,000 in grants, bringing the total amount to $4.5 million since its inception.
The event has greatly expanded since the inaugural 2002 Quail Valley Charity Cup Golf Tournament. The bridge tournament has become so popular that it was made a two-day event this year, taking place, along with the 5K Walk/Run, the week prior to the golf and tennis tournaments.
This past Monday featured an “Old Friends & New Friends” Gourmet Guest Chef & Wine Dinner. Quail Valley Executive Chef Joe Faria had invited Executive Chefs Dean Moore, Boston Harvard Club; Mark Morcaro, The Club at New; John Kolesar, Ocean House; Paul Sorgule, Harvest America Ventures; and Adam Young, Sift Bake Shop, to join him in preparing a delightful five-course epicurean dinner for 145 most appreciative diners. Individual Quail Valley members also hosted a number of elaborate gourmet dinners prepared by local chefs at their own magnificent homes.
“It dumbfounds me every year. Our members come down here and open their pocketbooks to the community and embrace what we’re trying to do,” said Steve Mulvey, Quail Valley CEO, watching as guests poured into the River Club Saturday evening. “We have a huge need in this community and it’s not getting funded by the federal government and it’s not funded by the state and local government; it’s the philanthropic community that steps in.”
Members, guests and representatives of the various charities enjoyed abundant mouth-watering buffets – including an amazing chocolate dessert bounty by Frostings – and made final bids on more than 100 silent-auction items. Music by the River Rats and the spectacularly beautiful evening drew a huge number of guests outdoors to dine and later dance under the stars.
Just prior to the drawings for raffle and Glitzy Chance prizes, Kevin Given, Quail Valley partner and general manager, remarked that their Quail Valley team had gone above and beyond to make the event a success, contributing many hours outside of their normal work days.
“They really buy in to what we are trying to do.”
Remarking on the great work being done by the nonprofits the event supports he added, “We’re tickled to death to be able to help them out.”
“Quail Valley has a very generous membership. I’m proud to be a part of it and I hope you are as well,” said Charity Cup Chairwoman Wanda Lincoln, telling members and guests that she hopes they will become more involved and volunteer with the charities they support.
“We don’t want it just to end; we would like it to continue throughout the year,” shared Trudie Rainone, vice chairwoman.