NOURISH, a benefit to sustain and grow Village Project, to be held March 3

Guests at last year's NOURISH event enjoyed food, entertainment, camaraderie and chances to win, win, win raffle prizes.

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Nourishing ourselves and our loved ones is very important to most of us. Nourishing our neighbors experiencing a cancer crisis has been the mission of Village Project for more than seven years. During that time over 25,000 meals and sustaining services have been delivered to more than 250 families in Bay Village, Westlake, Avon, Avon Lake and Rocky River.

Since its inception in September 2010, Village Project has experienced a growth of 600 percent. It currently boasts over 600 volunteers, from ages 2 to 90, who serve through cooking, gardening, shopping, delivery, yard care, client relations and more. This tremendous growth necessitated the organization to move its base of operations from a church basement to its own headquarters building in 2013. Facility expansion plans are now in progress to support continued development and enable more clients to be served.

To this end, the third annual NOURISH fundraising gala is being held to benefit Village Project. You are invited to join the party to experience an evening of food, fun, entertainment, fellowship and giving. It will be held on Saturday, March 3, from 6-10 p.m. at Hyland Building 3 located at 28105 Clemens Road in Westlake.

Village Project’s Executive Director Barb Harrell is very pleased to be holding the event in the same location as last year. “We are grateful to Hyland for again hosting NOURISH. Their facility provides a wonderful venue to showcase the many facets of Village Project and share exciting information about our expansion plans.”

Barb’s crafty volunteers have been hard at work planning to transform the sprawling building with this year’s NOURISH theme in mind: Delight in the ambience of an indoor street fair. Sip a beer, wine or soft drink as you stroll down an avenue festooned with globe string lights and vibrantly-colored lanterns. Greet friends. Enjoy the talent of fun street performers. Sample tasty treats.

While healthy, delicious food is at the core of what Village Project provides to its clients, NOURISH guests will not only enjoy good-tasting eats, but also get to explore the multi-generational, community-focused mission of Village Project in a fun, unforgettable atmosphere. You will be taken on a culinary journey throughout the evening, traveling to different food stations which illustrate the many ways Village Project serves both its clients and the community.

The festive evening also offers the opportunity to participate in a basket raffle and to bid on extraordinary silent auction items, including six tickets to an upcoming concert of your choice at Music Box Supper Club, an Italian dinner for eight prepared by a trained chef in the comfort of your own home, Cavs tickets, Cleveland Playhouse tickets and much more.

In addition, there is a Grand Prize raffle for $3,000 toward a dream vacation of the winner’s choice. Tickets for the Grand Prize raffle are sold separately and can be purchased, even if you are not attending NOURISH, at a cost of $20 each or three for $50.

NOURISH is an adults-only event. Tickets are $100 per person and must be purchased by Feb. 19. To order tickets for the event, raffle tickets or to get more information, visit ourvillageproject.com/nourish. To order tickets over the phone, call 440-348-9401.

Sponsorship opportunities are still available, including limited opportunities to reserve a private room for you and your guests. Even if you are not able to attend, there are ways you can help the cause. New this year is a gift card drawing and wine pull. If you have gift cards or bottles of wine valued at $20 or higher that you would like to donate for this event, please get more information on the VP website.

Nourish your body, mind and spirit this winter with a fun evening out as you help to support and sustain this vital local organization.