Staff Report

Caritas, an auxiliary of Catholic Charities, is a group of people dedicated to helping make the lives of foster families better, regardless of religious affiliation. The Caritas annual luncheon and fashion show fund-raiser will be held Wednesday, April 27, at Giovanni’s, 610 N. Bell School Road in Rockford.

This year, Caritas celebrates 25 years of service. The doors will open at 10:30 a.m. for the silent auction shopping and social time. The luncheon and fashion show will start at noon and end around 1:45 p.m. Cost is $35 per person and includes these menu selections: 1) Cheddar Popcorn Crusted Chicken Breast with cornbread, corn macque choux and chickpea gravy; 2) Warm Mole’ Pork Saled with spice-cured cabbage slaw and Spanish inspired rice; 3) Vegetarian meal: Roasted Eggplant with Israel couscous and carrot puree. All meals are served with mixed greens salad with buttermilk dressing and smoked paprika (pickled onions on the side), fresh baked rolls and butter, coffee or tea. Dessert will be: Polenta Pound Cake with caramel banana sauce, white chocolate shavings and pistachios.

This event includes more than 100 beautiful silent auction items and five great raffle prizes. Raffle tickets are $5 apiece or 6 for $25. The raffle prizes are: 1) $1,000; 2) One-week stay for four in a condo in Marco Island, Fla.; 3) Two round-trip tickets donated by Allegiant Air from Rockford to anywhere that Allegiant flies; 4) Dining package to area restaurants worth more than $300; 5) Home-cooked authentic Italian meal by Tony and Marva Tarara in their home worth more than $300.

Fashions presented at the show are from: b jones, Sara Grace, Sarah McClelland, Infinitely Sweet, and Crimson Ridge. Emcee for the day is Eric Wilson, WREX-TV 13 news anchor, and entertainment will be provided by Carl Cole, all donating their time to what is shaping up to be a wonderful day. To make a reservation, call Jean Nosek at (815) 389-3259.

Last year, about 270 people attended the luncheon, and more than $26,000 was raised. All the proceeds will go to Catholic Charities Youth Programs that strive to fulfill the needs not provided by government agencies, for foster families of all faiths.

From the April 20-26, 2011, issue