Broomes Island, MD – An annual event that just might become Calvert County’s summertime “go-to event” is all planned for year number four. The Luau for Calvert Hospice will be held Thursday, Aug. 11 at Stoney’s Broomes Island from 6 to 10 p.m.
Calvert Hospice Director of Development Claire Piason told The BayNet the four-hour feast is the brainchild of Stoney’s owner Jeannie Stone. “She did it on her own,” said Piason, adding that the first luau was held in August 2013.
The summer before that brought some disappointing news to the county. The Donovan brothers, owners of the Rod ‘N’ Reel Restaurant (Chesapeake Beach Resort and Spa), announced they would no longer be hosting their annual Cancer Crusade Gala. That fundraiser existed for 30 years and developed into a huge success. According to Piason, the Donovans said to Stone that she “should think about doing something similar at Stoney’s but for Calvert Hospice.”
The 2013 event was deemed a success and Piason recalled in 2014, “we told Jeannie we would help facilitate it. Jeannie brings her charm, customers, her restaurant and staff. It’s grown quite a bit.”
The growth the event is experiencing was evident last year. The first two luaus each raised $55,000. The 2015 luau raised $99,670. “This year we definitely want to top that $100,000 mark,” said Piason, who added that 300 people attended the 2015 event and 200 tickets have already been sold for this year’s luau.
The Luau for Calvert Hospice has all the authenticity of a Hawaiian luau, including a roasted pig. Piason said there will be three food stations, an open bar and hors d’oeuvres. The menu includes crab, chicken, shrimp and fish tacos plus desserts.
There will be an open bar, a craft beer station and tropical drinks will also be served.
Back for the fourth year in a row to entertain luau-goers will be the band NightLife. “They are just fabulous,” said Piason. Additionally, attendees are sure to be wowed by a professional hula dancer and fire dancer.
Additionally, the evening’s agenda includes a silent auction and several raffles.
Piason explained that the proceeds from the luau will help fund the operation of The Burnett Calvert Hospice House. The facility was built on donated land with the generous support of the community and several grants. Because of that collective generosity, Calvert Hospice did not need to make any mortgage payments on the house. However, the facility is expensive to operate. Piason said about $500,000 is required annually to keep the Burnett Calvert Hospice House open and operating. No patient is ever turned away due to inability to pay for the room, board and professional care at the house.
The Luau for Calvert Hospice is one of many fundraising events for the organization. Last November, Calvert Hospice presented its final Festival of Trees, a very labor-intensive event that had been held annually during Thanksgiving Day weekend. Piason said this November a new, smaller scale fundraising event—to be called Festival of Wreaths—will be held at the College of Southern Maryland’s Prince Frederick Campus.
This past spring, Running Hare Vineyard hosted the Third annual Culinary Event for Calvert Hospice. At the event the organization raised an additional $5,000 through “Fund A Need,” which gave event-goers a chance to designate what their dollars were funding. “People wanted to know where their money was going,” said Piason. Donations of $50 would help send a child to Camp Phoenix, a three-day camp for grieving children and teens ages 7 to 15. A “comfort kit” providing patients with five commonly used symptom management medications cost $65 per patient. A $250 donation helps provide a single patient with a month’s supply of oxygen. Because Fund A Need was successful at the spring fundraiser, Piason said Calvert Hospice has decided to have it available to those attending the luau.
Tickets for the luau are $125 per person, $135 at the door. In addition to ticket sales, Luau for Calvert Hospice raises funds through corporate sponsorships.
For more information about Calvert Hospice and to order tickets for the Aug. 11 luau at Stoney’s, visit Calvert Hospice’s web site.
Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com
