Harford Family House Announces 2019 Theme & Cast Members for Ahoy! Cocktails by the Bay
Harford Family House is pleased to announce “There’s No Place like ‘A Home’” as the theme for its annual spring fundraiser, “Ahoy! Cocktails by the Bay,” taking place Thursday, May 30 at La Banque de Fleueve’s Seaplane base from 5-8 p.m. The event is designed as a fun-filled networking event to educate Harford County’s business professionals on the topic of homelessness within the region.
This year’s Ahoy! theme will fully embrace the magical 1939 American musical film, “The Wizard of Oz,” featuring full character costumes and whimsical signature cocktails like the Ruby Red Slipper, a grapefruit-based vodka libation and the Emerald City, a fun twist on a green apple martini. Hors’ d’ouerves provided by MacGregor’s Restaurant will be available for guests to enjoy as they take in the gorgeous, panoramic views of the Chesapeake Bay.
Through Ahoy!, Harford Family House aims to raise $45,000 via corporate sponsorships and peer-to-peer fundraising conducted by the event’s “cast members” – individuals within Harford County’s business community who rally the support of their friends, family, employers and coworkers to raise money for the cause. Each cast member has their sights set on raising $2,000 to support Harford Family House’s programs and services. This year’s cast features:
• The Wicked Witch of the West: Trish Umbarger Keck of Creative Concepts by Trish
• The Cowardly Lion: Lance Hersh of Saxon’s Diamond
• Dorothy: Paige Boyle of Boyle Buick GMC Truck
• Toto: Mia Heidelmaier, the beloved one-year-old Yorkshire terrier of proud parents, George and Kathy Heidelmaier of It’s PayDay
• The Scarecrow: Kay Sheldon Dyches of Harford Mutual Insurance
• The Tin Man: Lt. Will Reiber of the Aberdeen Police Department
• Glinda the Good Witch: Erika Quesenbery of the City of Havre de Grace Department of Economic Development
• The Wizard of Oz: Mark Dardozzi of Richlin Catering & Event Center
“Just as Dorothy longed to return home to Auntie Em in ‘The Wizard of Oz,’ the families we serve want nothing more than to regain their independence and work toward creating a new home,” says Robin Tomechko, chief executive of Harford Family House. “Through ‘Ahoy!’ we’re able to put the ‘fun’ in fundraising and raise dollars critical to fulfilling our mission.”
Now in its 30th anniversary year, Harford Family House is the largest provider of housing for families with children experiencing homelessness and unaccompanied young adults in Harford County. Since its inception, the organization has provided resources and support to more than 600 families, changing the lives of more than 1,900 individuals.
Ahoy! tickets are available to the public and can be purchased for $50 per person for general admission or $65 for VIP. General admission tickets include food, live music and networking; VIP ticketholders enjoy private event parking. To purchase tickets, or donate toward a cast member’s fundraising campaign, please visit www.harfordfamilyhouse.org. For additional information, contact Heather Lynch, resource development manager, at HLynch@harfordfamilyhouse.org or 410-273-6700.
About Harford Family House – www.harfordfamilyhouse.org
Harford Family House is the largest provider of housing for families with children experiencing homelessness in Harford County. Other programs include HUD Supportive Housing for families experiencing homelessness where one family member has a disability, Wheels for Work, providing transportation to and from work while helping families work toward car ownership, and Ready by 21, a program to support unaccompanied young adults ages 18-21 who are involved with the foster care system. Clients are provided with a fully furnished apartment or house and receive case management services and referrals to partner agencies to move them from homelessness and despair to hope and independence.
