Submitted Photo

Luke Henson holds the $50 he won in the pinata game at this year’s Celebrity Chefs event, sponsored by Compass Community Health.

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Frank Lewis

PDT Staff Writer

The Counseling Center’s 2013 Celebrity Chef Dinner and Auction, “South of the Border” will be one for the history books, as the final tally shows the special event raised more than $22,000 for their Youth Outreach and Prevention programs.

Local Celebrity Chefs and more than 40 volunteers made up of board members, recovery community members, agency employees from all departments, clients, supervisors, outreach and prevention alumni, sister organizations, churches, corporate benefactors and recovery-minded individuals from as far away as Huntington, W.Va., came together Wednesday, May 29, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Friends Center in Portsmouth.

Sarah Bachman, Executive Assistant of Community Relations and Development for Compass Community Health and The Counseling Center said more than $22,831 was raised for the programs now celebrating 23 years of service to the community under the direction of Clarence Parker.

The event featured food catered by Toro Loco and the Compass Point Housing Second Chance Men’s Residential Culinary team. Bachman said the Celebrity Chefs provided a variety of desserts, including dulce de leche cupcakes, honey chili cornbread, and black bean chocolate cake among others. There were raffles, fiesta fun and an entertainment program of music and dancing. The money and gift card tree raffles, along with the silent auction, made up of business contributions and corporate sponsored gifts including art, sporting event tickets, spa and travel packages, brought in more than $ 5,000 on the night of the dinner. Luke Henson walked away with $50 cash after being the winner of the pinata game.

“There were so many people who donated money and auction items, and volunteered thousands of hours of their time to make the event a success,” Bachman said. “I am humbled by the generosity of spirit in our community. Many of our friends, partner agencies, employees, clients and community neighbors came together to make it a magical night. The Counseling Center is so happy to announce that our main fundraiser for youth prevention and outreach programs, The Fifth Annual Celebrity Chef Dinner and Auction “South of the Border” Fiesta for a Cause grossed over $ 22,831 dollars.”

Frank Lewis may be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 252, or at flewis@civitasmedia.com. For breaking news, follow Frank on Twitter @FrankLewisPDT.