The third annual Taste of Hope hosted by the Young Ambassadors of Wings of Hope on Saturday, Oct. 5, was the biggest and best yet – with record-breaking attendance and proceeds raised. Tickets to the international food fest sold out the day before the event and some 350 guests packed the hangar to take in the sights, sounds and, most of all, the delicious food served up by a diverse range of participating restaurants. Patrons enjoyed freshly made paella from The Croquetterie, Zambian comfort food from Jenny’s Diner, curry chicken sliders from Rhone Rum Bar, pad thai from Sunisa’s Thai Restaurant, fajitas from El Burro Loco, craft beers and pub grub from Granite City Brewery, and sweet treats from The Donut Stop, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Smoothie King and Dierbergs. Vito’s in the Valley, Viviano’s Festa Italiano and Double G Ham also served up tasty fare. DJ Carlos Suarez kept the tunes spinning from 3:30-6:30 p.m. The highlight of the afternoon was a performance by Vitendo 4 Africa, a dance troupe of Zambian children. Best of all, Taste of Hope raised over $20,000 – 32% more than last year! Proceeds will support Wings of Hope international programming, with $10,000 directly supporting FlySpec, our partner flying surgical teams to perform orthopedic and reconstructive plastic surgery in Zambia. The dozens of volunteers included more than 20 from Boeing, which also donated $1,000 to the event. Thank you to presenting sponsor Dierbergs, all sponsors – First Community Credit Union, National Cart, Stonecrest Senior Living of Wildwood, Joe-K Used Cars, Moshiri Orthodontics, MBM Wealth Consultants, First National Bank-Staunton, Aero Charter and Masterclock – patrons, volunteers and participating restaurants who made this Taste of Hope our most successful to date. See you next October!
