Sisters of St. Francis bringing back gourmet gala

The Sisters of Saint Francis will host their annual Summer Harvest Gourmet Gala on Aug. 12 from 6-10 p.m., their first live event in two years. This will be the 15th annual gala, and will take place on the St. Francis Campus in Tiffin. Proceeds raised from the event will benefit the Franciscan Earth Literacy Center and its programs for individuals of all ages, specifically "scholarships for science days, for camps and for the community garden," said Mimi Johnston, FELC Director. FELC is an educational nature center that aims to teach individuals about exploring and discovering the natural environment. Programs are open to the local community as well as surrounding communities, and are open to kids, adults and individuals with developmental disabilities. Some of the FELC employees are from the Seneca County Opportunity Center, and "they're given the ability to learn how to grow and how to produce, market and how to deliver," said Robin Gorrell, co-chair of FELC. "When we have the gala, it is of course our number one fundraiser," Gorrell said. "But it also brings all these people from different parts of the community to come in and make them more aware of what we are at FELC. So it's a way for them to help support us in a way that we're able to keep the program going." "We want it to be a really fun night," she added. The theme of the gala is "Garden Party," and while garden party attire is suggested, it is not required. Guests will have the opportunity to mingle outside and enjoy appetizers with produce grown by the Seeds of Hope Farm through FELC. The appetizers will be created and served by The Empire at 138 of Tiffin, Don Tomasso's American and Italian Kitchen of Upper Sandusky and Parkhurst Dining of Heidelberg University. "It's a wonderful social event for building relationships," said Sister Jackie Doepker of the Sisters of St. Francis. Various wines and craft brews from Gillig Winery of Findlay, Laird Arcade Brewery and The Tiffin Brewery, and Twin Oast Brewing of Port Clinton will be available as well. Dinner will be catered and served by Carolyn's Personalized Catering of Millbury in the Elizabeth Schaefer Auditorium, 190 Saint Francis Ave., with a live jazz music trio performance. Special raffle drawings, a silent auction, wine grab and live auction will follow. After dinner, the event will continue outside until 10 p.m. "The event will be hybrid so that those who would like to support the cause but cannot attend in person can still enjoy a delicious dinner and still participate in raffles and the online auction," said Andria Marquis, Communications Coordinator of the St. Francis community. For those who cannot attend, a gift card will be offered toward dinner at The Empire at 138 or Don Tomasso's American and Italian Kitchen. Those participating virtually may engage in an online auction between August 1-11, and will be entered into raffles for a chance to win $500 and a gift card tree valued at $250. Tickets for additional raffles are also available. This year there will be a special grand prize raffle for the Stairway to Heaven Cottage, a week-long vacation rental for up to 11 people in Rosemary Beach, Florida, valued at $10,000. Tickets are $75 per person. There is an early bird special of $65 per person for those who register before July 1. Marquis said the group is still welcoming sponsors and donations for the event. For more information, contact Marquis at 419-447-0435, ext. 133 or email amarquis@tiffinfranciscans.org.