VALERIE’S HOUSE
Cause c o c k t a i l s
F O R A N O V E M B E R 2 1 , 2 0 2 4
Welcome
V A L E R I E ’ S H O U
S E
Valerie's House is a special place where children who have experienced the loss of someone they love can find comfort and healing. Valerie's House was created as a safe, welcoming space where kids and their families can come together, share their feelings, and understand that they are not alone in their grief journey.
Valerie’s House Pensacola was founded by Crista Brandt, who knows firsthand how difficult it is to grieve. The house offers a gentle, supportive environment for children aged 5 to 18 who are grieving the death of a parent, sibling, or other close family member. Here, children are given the tools they need to express their emotions and make sense of their loss, while also connecting with others who are facing similar struggles.
The goal of Valerie's House is simple but powerful: to help families heal, together. It’s a place where, even in the face of sadness, hope can begin to grow again. Thank you for supporting Valerie’s House and making sure that no child ever has to grieve alone.
SpecialTh BAR SPONSO
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FRIENDS OF
Elisa & Mark Whib
Belle Bear
Elizabeth McGee
Katrina Mougey
Randall Bell
Margie & Alan Moore
IN-KIND SUPPORTERS
CaringTree CARDINAL
VENTURE INSIDE TO HANG AN ORNAMENT ON THE CARDINAL CARING TREE AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF GRIEVING CHILDREN.
HOW IT WORKS
Choose an ornament. Each ornament represents a different sponsorship level.
Make your donation by scanning the QR code and entering a payment. For alternative forms of payment see a Valerie’s House volunteer.
Fill out your information on the ornament tag. Write your name or business and make it in memory of someone you love.
Hang it on the Cardinal Caring Tree to share with VH families and visitors throughout the holidays.
COCKTAIL COMPETITION
HOW TO VOTE
All additional funds raised by the cocktail teams will go to Valerie’s House Pensacola.
AbouttheTEAMS
BOGEY’S + JACO’S | CHEFS SCOTT SMITH & LENIN KARL
Scott Smith has been a chef of professional cooking for 28 years around the southeastern United States. He has developed a passion for Italian, southern, and coastal flavors. Scott is now focused on competition and charitable events since retiring from chef life in 2018. Joining him, Lenin Karl proudly representing El Salvador in the culinary scene in Pensacola Lenin started his journey in Washington DC with a summer program, Hearth Keepers, that sparked his love for cooking After honing his skills in renowned establishments, Lenin is now creating flavorful experiences downtown at Jaco’s Bayfront Bar and Grill.
C H E F T O N Y W I L L I A M S O N
You may know Tony Williamson from The Global Grill, where he has been a notably recognized server for over 19 years and often ranks as a top server with InWeekly’s Best of the Coast. His infectious energy and quick wit have made him a beloved fixture there, but his flare for food goes well beyond the front of the house as he also frequently influences some of Global’s favorite dishes. With a deep-rooted family tradition in the culinary world, Tony hails from a family of food enthusiasts who own and operate Williamson Brother’s Bar-B-Q in Atlanta, known for its Southern-style dishes, meats, and regionaldistributed BBQ sauces. He has a passion for creating unique dishes with fresh ingredients from the garden, locally caught seafood and quality meats, while also experimenting with fermentation to create his own spicy and savory sauces. Tony enjoys participating in local culinary competitions to support charities in the community, and won “Fan Favorite” at the 2024 Men Who Cook fundraiser for the Pace Center for Girls.
AbouttheTEAMS
L A D O L C E R I N A | C H E F R I N A T H O M A
Years ago, Rina Thoma was a food-obsessed, cookbook-hoarding Army wife working in corporate sales. During a move, she seized the chance to pursue her dream of attending culinary school. At Tante Marie’s in San Francisco, she mastered French cuisine by day and explored the city’s food scene by night. After graduation, Rina and her husband Dave moved to Germany, traveling through Europe for four years, meeting chefs, winemakers, and farmers In Paris, at Le Cordon Bleu, she discovered her passion for fresh, seasonal market cuisine. This inspired her farm-to-table cookbook, Bushels & Feasts, which became a best-seller on Amazon. Rina has studied cooking worldwide, from Italy to Vietnam, and now works as a private chef and instructor. She’s also a community partner with the Rally Foundation, using food to bring people together for good causes.
M O O N L I G H T C A F E + C O N C H I T A S
Moonlight Cafe is a family-owned mobile cafe and bar service founded by former educator Ivy Salada, dedicated to bringing exceptional drinks and breakfast options to the community With a focus on supporting local causes, Ivy blends passion for service, quality drinks, and community impact, all while providing a warm, welcoming experience. Joining her, Jennifer Lowery is a military spouse and owner of Conchitas Personal Chef and Catering LLC. Jennifer is a multi award winning chef and caterer, offering international-fusion cuisine with specialty in open fire cooking and catering boutique creations like sushi, charcuterie, hors d’evoures, carving stations, and more. She also gives back to the community through her program, Culinary ART for Change, dedicated to bringing smiles through food art and food science.
TEAMSAboutthe
T A P T H E C O A S T + T H E Z I M M E R N T E A M
Dannon Byrd, a Santa Rosa County native, founded Tap the Coast five years ago as the Gulf Coast’s first mobile bar service Today, they are home to the largest fleet of mobile bars in the region She and her team provide award-winning bar and beverage experiences, specializing in craft cocktails, tailored mocktails, and interactive cocktail classes that make any event unforgettable. Joining her is Hylton Davis, a commercial and residential Realtor by day with The Zimmern Team at Levin Rinke Realty and a personal chef in his "free time". Previous to joining the real estate world, he gained six years of fine dining experience at The Global Grill, and is now in his 3rd year of personal catering. His most recent accomplishments include winning "Best Appetizer" at the 2024 Men Who Cook fundraiser for the Pace Center for Girls and leading The Zimmern Team to victory at the Arc Gateway's Crab Cake Cookoff Hylton is always looking for new ways to share his skillset with the community and ensure his clients are taken care of, even if that means showing up to cook a killer meal in their new home or business.
U N I O N P U B L I
Blake Rushing is Founder & Partner at Union Public House A Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Academy graduate, Blake began his culinary journey in 2003. His early experiences at Wolfgang Pucks in Downtown Disney and a transformative internship at London’s Savoy Grill fueled his passion and began his career. Two and half years into Blake’s experience at The Savoy Grill, he was invited to help open restaurateur Gordon Ramsay’s first US restaurant in New York City as a Sous Chef. In 2007, less than one year after opening, Gordon Ramsey at the London in New York City earned two Michelin Stars. Returning to Pensacola, Blake established acclaimed ventures such as Elise, Coastal Dining; Spot On Catering, and the rotating-menu restaurant Type His current focus, Union Public House (UPH), marks a return to his roots, blending Southern pub dishes with a modern twist UPH opened its new location in the East Garden District in August 2023, solidifying its status as Pensacola’s premier culinary destination.
ThePowerof YOUR GIFT
Every donation goes directly to powering Valerie’s House programs, ensuring that children receive the guidance to navigate grief, making a meaningful difference in the lives of those coping with the challenges of loss.
DONOR PROGRAMS
$100 $250 $500 $1,800
covers a new family care package & enrollment
provides a wholesome dinner for one of nine monthly group nights gives us the supplies needed for one of nine monthly group night activities provides comprehensive grief support for one child for an entire year
ThePowerof YOUR GIFT
HERO PROGRAMS
$2,500 F O O D F O R T H E S O U L
Provides dinner for all nine of our monthly group nights to ensure children and families can gather for a nourishing, family-style meal.
$5,000 C O N N E C T I O N S C A T A L Y S T
Funds activities, including materials and trained facilitators, for our nine monthly group nights, both on- and off-site, serving 100 people weekly.
$10,000
E M P O W E R
H E A L I N G
Covers comprehensive grief service for a month, including all group activities and meals at our nine group nights, monthly family care calls, and more.
$25,000 C O M M U N I T Y B U I L D E R
Covers Valerie’s House’s entire spectrum of core programs for one quarter, including group night activities, meals, and off-site groups.
ThePowerof YOUR GIFT
$50,000 ANGEL PROG
As one of five Angel Program Sponsors, your gift will prov comprehensive grief services for children and families in a specif Your support ensures healing and guidance grieving children need to move forward with hope, truly transforming their future and leaving a lasting impact on their lives.
Y O U R S P O N S O R S H I P P R O V I D E S :
5,600+ total hours of care; 500+ hours of personalized family resource services; recruitment and training for 20 volunteers dedicated to supporting the group; 10 months of bi-monthly group nights offering peer support, therapeutic activities, and grief resources; and 4 family events, including holiday parties and school-year celebrations.
H O N O R I N G Y O U R G I F T :
Naming Rights - special opportunity to name a group in honor of a loved one ’ s legacy, a cherished family nickname, or even your business.
Personalized Care Packages - children attending their first group session will receive a care package in a custom tote featuring the group ’ s name and personal message.
Impact Updates - receive quarterly videos and photos showcasing the difference your support is making in the lives of these children and families.
Exclusive Event Invitations - attend family events to witness firsthand the profound impact of your generosity on our grieving families.
