Chocolate Lovers Indulge for a Good Cause

Annual YMCA Event Raises Thousands for Loudoun's Needy

By Melissa Arseniuk

Monday, February 25, 2008

When pressed to choose between hot chocolate and champagne, legendary 18th Century adventurer and author Casanova chose to have a luscious and sweet, chocolaty beverage instead of a glass of bubbly.

Historians say Casanova called his indulgence of choice "the elixir of love" -- but if the renowned chevalier had been at the Lansdowne Resort on Friday, he would not have had to choose.

There was no shortage of either champagne or chocolate at the 20th annual Chocolates Galore fundraiser. The event combined dozens of chocolate truffles, ice cream, cakes, fudge and brownies with free-flowing champagne, and a cocoa-induced sense of euphoria permeated the air.

Despite the excess of culinary indulgences, the evening was guilt-free: Monies raised support the YMCA of Loudoun County's Building Bridges program.

Since its inception in 1987, Chocolates Galore has become the YMCA's biggest and most popular fundraising event. Despite bad weather and slippery roads, about 6oo people turned out, contributing tens of thousands of dollars toward the cause. Exact figures hadn't been announced by Sunday evening, but officials said totals would be available Monday afternoon.

Funds raised will help the local YMCA finance programs for Loudoun children and families, including those programs that support scholarships for homeless and low-income children, wellness and meal programs, and food banks.

Leesburg resident Tom Durrer brought his 8-year-old daughter, Abigail, to Chocolates Galore as his date.

It didn't take long for Abigail to express her thoughts about the chocolate lover's paradise. Upon walking into the ballroom, she looked at her father and confessed, “I want to live here.”

While Durrer sits on the YMCA board and has been coming to the event for more than a decade, it was Abigail's first time at the event.

Clearly content, Abigail spent a large portion of the evening within close proximity to The Chocolate Chick's chocolate fountain. The station proved to be a popular destination for attendees of all ages, as people lined up to dip cookies, marshmallows and fresh fruit in the stream of molten milk chocolate.

In addition to the chocolates and other succulent desserts, an impressive array of finger foods and appetizers was also served. Selections included sweet, succulent scallops, zesty Asian lettuce wraps with seasoned pork belly, and delicate ricotta gnocchi, wild mushrooms and pancetta in a cream sauce.

More than 20 local restaurants, bakeries and caterers battled it out in the hors d'oeuvre and dessert competitions.

But there was much more to Chocolates Galore than chocolate and other culinary treats. Once attendees had their fill of food and desserts, they had the chance to peruse a diverse collection of silent auction items. In addition, a live auction took place midway through the evening, providing additional entertainment and excitement.

Prizes included tickets to the Loudoun Symphony Orchestra, overnight stays at area resorts and bed and breakfasts, and gift certificates to a range of restaurants. From oil changes and gym memberships to sports memorabilia and rounds of golf, the range of items up for bid offered something for people from all walks of life. Even an autographed picture of Sesame Street icon Big Bird was sold to the highest bidder.

One of the more popular items on the auction block Friday was a Nintendo Wii. After a bidding war, the highly sought-after gaming system sold for $1,200.

In all, 174 items were sold through silent and live auction. All prizes were donated, so all precedes go straight to the YMCA.

Chocolates Galore chair Catherine Grossman said it's not hard to understand why Chocolates Galore is so popular year after year

“The food is fabulous,” she said. “It's a great event. It's a great thing to come out to, but ultimately the funds that are raised benefit a great cause.”

She called the event's 20th anniversary both “a milestone for the YMCA” and an overwhelming success.

Over the years, Chocolates Galore has developed quite a faithful following.

Pam Jackson has been a Chocolates Galore regular for more than a decade now. The Cascades resident said there's no reason not to come to the annual event.

“I love it,” she said. “Everyone supports it. They come out, even with the (bad) weather.”

Like many Chocolates Galore veterans, Jackson brought a handful of friends to the event this year to experience the chocolate-filled, champagne-infused evening for the first time.

Dallas Murray was one of the friends Jackson convinced to attend. He said it didn't take much arm-twisting to get him to come -- and it didn't take long for him to decide to come back next year, either.

“This is my first time, first experience,” he said, explaining he moved to Loudoun from South Carolina 10 months ago. Since arriving in Loudoun County, he said he has been “overwhelmed with the niceness here” and said Friday's fundraiser reinforced his feelings for the area.

“This is great,” he said. “(It is an) awesome opportunity to network.” Murray, who is the manager of Salon Cielo in Lansdowne Town Center, said he plans to contribute to the silent auction next year -- and will get the staff involved, too.

“When I come back I'm bringing the entire salon with me,” he said.

Tagged: fundraiser, YMCA

Your Thoughts...

What action towards school development would best fit your community's needs?