There’s still time to reserve a place at Salt Creek Grille’s 2014 Wine & Martini Fundraiser, scheduled for the hours of 7 to 10 pm on Thursday, April 10 at the riverfront restaurant in Rumson.
Established eleven years ago by Salt Creek Grille managing partner Steve Bidgood, on what was then the fifth anniversary of the popular American grill at the foot of the Oceanic Bridge, the event is dedicated each year to a different, locally based nonprofit organization. To date, more than $620,000 has been raised for ten local charities that serve children’s needs. All proceeds go directly to the charity, thanks to the generous support and donations of goods and services made by the restaurant and purveyors.
The beneficiary for 2014 will be the Hope For Children Foundation of New Jersey, an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) charitable organization of young professionals, entrepreneurs and parents in Monmouth County working together to raise funds to make a difference in the lives of children and their families. Each year, HFCF identifies charitable organizations and individuals that will benefit from monies raised from various fundraisers, and to date, HFCF has donated close to $2 million to local charities and families in need of assistance.
“It means so much to us to be chosen by Steve Bidgood to be Salt Creek’s charity for 2014,” said Eric Hinds, president and co-founder of HFCF.  “We have worked very hard over the past 10 years to become recognized within the community as an organization that is proven to be a viable resource for children in need,” he explained.
During the April 10 event, six wine vendors, all of which have supported the event for the past ten years, will be pouring premiere wines, and a spirits vendor will be shaking specialty martinis. Salt Creek Grille will provide passed hors d’oeuvres, pasta and carving stations. Local business favorites also get in on the act, and have included artisanal cheeses from Sickles Market of Little Silver, and a raw bar by The Lusty Lobster of Highlands. The Bobby Boyd Trio will entertain with live jazz music, and for a period of one year following the event, Bidgood will fly the charity’s flag from the landmark restaurant’s flagpole.
Also featured will be a gift basket and live auction, as well as a cash raffle at $50 per chance, with ten prizes ranging from $500 to a grand prize of $12,500. For further information, or to purchase tickets, please visit www.hfcf.org or call (201)705-4544.
