Chocolate Affair 2015: An Unprecedented Success

By all measures, the 2015 Health Care for the Homeless Chocolate Affair was a rousing success. The room was full of warmth and high spirits. The chocolate was fabulous. The generosity was awe-inspiring. The dance floor overflowed.

Genuine, compassionate, revolutionary and dedicated. This is what our friends in the evening’s video call our community; and these came across loud and clear at Chocolate.

Genuine. While we were together for just a few hours, we were bound by a deep commitment to making our community a safer, healthier, better place for all of our neighbors. As many have said since Saturday night: We were 900+ strong, yet the evening felt intimate.

Compassionate. During the evening’s program, several Baltimore families posed a challenge to Chocolate guests to mark the 30^th anniversary of Health Care for the Homeless: If, and only if, we raised $50,000 during the Fund-A-Need auction, they would match it with another $50,000.

But our guests didn’t stop at $50,000. They gave $113,000: more than twice the challenge amount. All told, Chocolate raised $450,000, which is more than any other year in the event’s history. What an amazing tribute to our shared commitment to ending homelessness and saving lives.

Revolutionary. As a result of your generosity, this year we will provide more dental care, more “home visits” and more tangible assistance to more people in a more holistic manner than ever before in our history. Our collective voice will be louder and stronger in the halls of government. And we will build on our partnerships with universities and research institutions to strengthen and demonstrate the impact of our work.

Dedicated. As Dr. Breakey said when he issued the 30^th Anniversary Challenge to you: Chocolate is one night, but the work of Health Care for the Homeless never stops.  So now, continue your involvement in the work to end homelessness.

What’s the Next Step?

Join 400+ community members at Homeless Persons’ Lobby Day in Annapolis on Thursday, February 26. Rally in support of legislation and budget decisions that address the needs of the most vulnerable and least advantaged of our neighbors. This day is so critical for Health Care for the Homeless that we close our offices and drive down to Annapolis together. Together with clients and advocates, we meet with legislators and attend key hearings. We show—in force of numbers and spirit—our commitment to making sure all of our neighbors have a place to call home. Join us for the full day or part of the day! Email Adam Schneider or Vanessa Borotz for the day’s schedule, bus details and briefing sheets. Absolutely no experience required.