Chocolate Fest ‘thanks’

Dear editor:

The 15th Annual Chocolate Festival is now history, but the funds and support this event raised will help Cooperative Christian Ministries and Clinic offer our services well into the future! We had close to 1,000 people in attendance and raised over $50,000 that will be reinvested back into our community to help those who are sick, suffering, struggling, and need our services!

We are forever grateful to our chocolatiers: Angels in the Park, who won Best in Taste, Malvern National Bank, who won Best Presentation, EvilO, who won the People’s Choice, Abbi Cakes, Bistro 400, Bleu Monkey, Brickhouse Grill, CHI St. Vincent, Dolce Gelato, Embassy Suites, Kilwin’s, NPC Hospitality & Tourism Program, Red Light Roastery, The Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa, and Vault.

This event happened because of our sponsors Robert and Vikki Tankersley, Caruth-Hale Funeral Home, James and Janie Smith, Levi Hospital, Oaklawn Jockey Club, Zeiser Wealth Management, CHI St. Vincent, Munro Foundation, Red Oak Ridge, Harps, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Startek, Weyerhaeuser, Allen Tillery Auto, Bainum Foundation, Diamond Lakes Federal Credit Union, First Security Bank, Gross Funeral Home, Morris Foundation, Entergy, Xpress Boats, Richard Goodman, and National Park Medical Center. A special thanks goes out to Quality Plus Printing, Seiz Signs, The Sentinel-Record, and Adult and Teen Challenge for their assistance.

Our host — Embassy Suites — pulled out all the stops to make this event such a great success! Their staff worked tirelessly for months and on the day of the festival, made it look easy. They are truly dedicated hospitality professionals that have put their skills to work to help those in need. We are so grateful.

The Fun City Chorus, Justin Time juggler and balloon artist, Artist Red, who painted a picture that was later auctioned off, and Ken Goodman, our emcee, kept our guests entertained in grand style. To all those who donated items for our silent auction, to our committee, Charles Landrum, Christy Shaw, Jill LaComfora, Lauri Adams, Marina

Mueller, and Michael Davidson, Sallie Culbreth, Tina McBride, and all of our event volunteers — thank you!

I wish everyone could witness the miracles that take place at CCMC every day because of those who support us. Dedicated volunteer medical practitioners, support staff, translators, chaplains, and Getting Ahead facilitators compassionately give their time, professional skills, and support to relieve the suffering of those who are otherwise underserved in this community. The Chocolate Festival raised vital funds to keep these services going strong.

I suppose the only way to end this letter is with these simple, heartfelt words: “Thank You!” Lynn Blankenship CCMC executive director