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This year will mark the sixth Taste of Edwardsville, which will take place on March 29, from 7 to 11 p.m. at the N.O. Nelson Leclaire Room and the RE/MAX Integrity party tent (622 Troy Rd., Edwardsville, IL).
“Taste of Edwardsville is our biggest annual fundraiser and this year's event promises to be the best yet,” says Kathie Opel, founder of the charitable organization, Edwardsville Neighbors in Need.
Opel and her husband, Chad, created the charity back in 2009, when Chad’s stepfather was paralyzed from a spinal stroke, and didn’t have the money to make his home and vehicle wheelchair accessible. The compassionate couple was inspired to host the very first Taste of Edwardsville in order to raise the money, and was touched by the outpouring of support from the Edwardsville community.
“We realized that there were other local families in similar situations, who needed temporary assistance to relieve the financial burdens,” recalls Opel. “So we were inspired to create Neighbors in Need as a year-round resource at-the-ready when families need us. We've helped close to 30 families since the inception of the organization, and it is incredibly rewarding to meet and work with these families. The generosity of the Edwardsville community has been overwhelming.”
As promised, this year’s event will be even bigger and better than the first five. As in past years, attendees will be able to try unlimited samples of food from top Edwardsville chefs and restaurants (see list below) and enjoy beer and wine while dancing to the live music of Well Hungarians. Guests will receive complimentary parking, and KSDK’s Sara Dayley will be emceeing the event. Opel is excited to share that this year there will be raffles and auctions as well.
“We will be auctioning off a lot of items donated by local businesses, such as private dinners at some of the participating restaurants, a pig roast party for 100 people donated by Leroy's Tavern, some beautiful jewelry from Hudson's Jewelers, and a weekend at the Waldorf-Astoria in Chicago donated by Tor Hoerman Law, just to name a few,” reveals Opel. “We will also have a raffle for a four-day getaway for 10 people to the Lake of the Ozarks sponsored by RE/MAX Integrity and the Rams cheerleaders will be on hand selling prize boxes containing some exclusive Rams merchandise and autographed memorabilia.”
Though VIP tables are sold out—tickets were $1200 for a table of 8—exclusive tickets for $75 are still available, and they include everything listed above.
Participating restaurants include:
The evening will also feature exclusive auction items and raffles.
For tickets, more details, or to donate an auction item, visit tasteofedwardsville.com, call 618-520-7467, or contact Neighbors in Need at kopel@edwardsvilleneighborsinneed.org.
