MIDDLEBURY — The Foundation for Alcoholism Research, Inc. (FAR) on May successfully held its eighth annual lunch and card party fundraiser at the Swift House Inn in Middlebury. Thanks to the inn’s generosity, said FAR President Peg Calder, FAR has been able to hold the event, year after year, at a significant discount and ensure thousands of dollars go directly to fund research.
“Alcoholism is a disease that destroys families and lives. We support the goals of this foundation and are happy to do our part to raise awareness and funds for research,” said the inn’s owners, Dan and Michele Brown.
Cynthia Watters and Jo Birnbaum have attended every year and were given extra raffle tickets for their continued support. They are pictured with the door prizes, which were donated by merchants in and around Middlebury.
The card party lunch raised over $1,000, which will cover operating expenses for the year and allow 100 percent of donations throughout the year to go directly to research.
Event coordinator Colleen Boutin did another exceptional job of pulling it all together while chef Robert Fenn prepared a delicious lunch: tomato fennel bisque soup with warm bread, roast pork loin with mushroom cream sauce, sautéed carrots and zucchini, lemon tarts with fresh berries, coffee, hot jasmine pear tea donated by the Stone Leaf Tea House, and iced tea. Jennifer Honeywood and Angela Scavo donated homemade cookies. Honeywood also donated colorful large emery boards for this year’s party favors.
“We are fortunate to have such a generous outpouring of support from local businesses and from the community,” said Calder, noting in her remarks that online donations have dramatically increased since the launch of FAR’s new website, www.alcoholismresearch.org.
She also stated that the previous research grant to study baclofen for reduced craving had been stalled for several technical reasons last year but is now back on track, and that FAR is discussing the next grant for a possible breakthrough in diagnosis.
FAR has awarded three research grants.
Tax-exempt donations can be sent to FAR, PO Box 54, Middlebury, VT 05753.