Guest Blog: Hope in Focus
Picture yourself all dressed up, sitting blindfolded, surrounded by some of your closest friends, who also are blindfolded, and getting ready to feast on a meal. Intrigued? On Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, more than 300 guests will embark on a genuine culinary adventure during Dinner in the Dark hosted by Hope in Focus at the Mystic Marriott Hotel & Spa.
“Dinner in the Dark is back after an unexpected two-year hiatus, and we are so excited and relieved to bring on this extraordinary event,” Hope in Focus Co-Founder and Board President Laura Manfre said.
The gala fundraiser helps people connect with others to support the organization’s mission of advancing treatments for blindness by raising funds for research and by providing information and support to the community affected by Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA), a rare inherited retinal disease that causes blindness.
The event begins with a cocktail reception at 5:30 p.m., followed by guests wearing blindfolds and dining on a menu designed to be an extraordinary culinary and sensory adventure. Mystic Marriott Executive Chef George Barry created the menu and keeps it a secret.
“Throughout the meal guests will experience a vast amount of different flavors, from sweet, salty, sour, and savory,” Barry said. “We wanted to create a complete umami and exciting experience.”
Along with the gourmet menu and exquisite dining experience, fine wines by Angelini Wine or craft beers from Beer’d Brewing will be paired with each course. Simply Majestic is making a generous contribution by donating Majestic Boxes that will be opened simultaneously at the event. The evening also includes a live auction with exciting travel packages, one-of-a-kind experiences, and donations from our outstanding local artisans, supporters, and businesses. We’ll top off the evening with live music and dancing.
All proceeds benefit Hope in Focus, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to advancing research for treatments and cures for blindness and providing information and support to individuals and families affected by Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA), a rare inherited retinal disease that causes blindness. One-hundred percent of contributions made by individuals during the paddle raise following the dinner are designated for research to support diagnosis and treatment for rare blindness.
Tickets are $175 per person or $2,020 for a 20/20 Vision Table Patron (table of 8 with preferred seating). More information and tickets are available at hopeinfocus.org/dinner.
Sponsorship opportunities begin at $500. For more information, please contact Courtney Coates at courtney@hopeinfocus.org or 860-266-6062.