Almost everyone has a vice, or in my case, vices. I can readily admit to some – things such as wine, food and motorcycles. Others cannot or should not be revealed here.
In discussing the subject with a number of people, the one vice that was most often mentioned was chocolate.
I spoke with Mary Sanchez, one of most angelic persons I have ever met. Her one self-described weakness is chocolate. “I have loved chocolate since I was a small child,” Mary said. “I love all kinds, but I am particularly fond of dark or semi-sweet chocolate. You could cover a grasshopper in chocolate, and I would probably eat it.”
I asked Mary if she could live without chocolate. She thought for a moment and then said, “Yes, but I choose not to.”
I have some great news for these chocoholic folks!
The 10th Annual Rivers of Chocolate Festival is being held from 1-5pm April 30 at the Mountain Winery in Saratoga.
This gala is a fund-raising event for the Youth Division of EHC LifeBuilders. The festival was started many years ago by Social Advocates for Youth, a nonprofit agency, as its premier annual fund-raising event. The recent merger of EHC LifeBuilders and Social Advocates for Youth, two agencies dedicated to providing hope and opportunity to people in need, resulted in a more comprehensive Youth Division at EHC LifeBuilders. This merger capitalized on the strengths of each organization and delivers a greater continuum of services to help stabilize the lives of youth in crisis.
The face of homelessness hits close to home here in Santa Clara County, where it is estimated 20,000 people have an episode of homelessness each year. Of this number, 25 percent are younger than 18.
Homelessness is an extreme manifestation of poverty, characterized by not having a residence. It occurs for a variety of reasons, and can last short or long periods of time. Homelessness has no profile and does not discriminate. It affects individuals, families, children, seniors, disabled persons, and those with mental illness and dependencies on drugs and alcohol.
For more than 30 years, EHC LifeBuilders has worked hard to help end homelessness in our community. This vision should be commended. This will become more poignant as EHC LifeBuilders, in partnership with South County Housing, finishes construction on two phases of homeless services dedicated to serving the need here in south Santa Clara County.
One phase provides 60 units of transitional and low-income housing for homeless and at-risk families with children. The other phase, hopefully to be completed by next summer, is the Sobrato Reception Center, a shelter that will provide 140 emergency beds year-round.
The Rivers of Chocolate Festival is an opportunity for some of the Bay Area’s best restaurateurs, chocolatiers, wineries and other participants to show off their talents and products. The festival enables you to taste some amazing chocolate, wine, pastries, hors d’oeuvres, ice cream, gelato, beer, spirits and cigars – all in support of at-risk and/or homeless youth in our community.
More than 55 different wineries and chocolatiers, such as Fortino Winery and the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory from Gilroy, are expected to be at this year’s event, all trying to create some unique and special confections to fit this year’s theme, A Fantasy for Your Palate.
The Rivers of Chocolate Festival has established itself as the premier chocolate-tasting event in Northern California. Besides great wine and chocolate, there will also be some cooking demonstrations, big-band music and some auctions.
Wine, food and chocolate tend to bring people together. Over the last few weeks, I have written about a number of events that combine these wonderful elements, and at the same time, promote worthwhile causes in our community.
I do not want to come across as standing up on a soap box, but I am inspired by compassion. What we do for ourselves in life often fades away. What we do for others lives on. Supporting events like this allows us to have our chocolate cake – and eat it too.
Cheers!
