Indulge Your Sweet Tooth at Home of Hope’s Chocolate Affair, Set for February 8

What could be better than spending an evening indulging in decadent chocolate desserts? Doing so while raising funds for a worthwhile cause.

Chocoholics and dessert lovers can do both at the 11th annual Chocolate Affair, Thursday, Feb. 8.

Hosted by the Home of Hope, Vinita’s sweetest event will feature sumptuous chocolate delights prepared by a number of the finest restaurants, caterers, specialty shops and wineries in Vinita and the Grand Lake area.

From 6 to 8 p.m., vendors, including many returning favorites along with a few new ones, will be providing delicious samples to the more than 500 guests expected to attend this much-anticipated chocolate tasting event.

In addition to the delicious chocolate desserts, the event will also feature savory appetizers, wine, gourmet coffee and cocoa, as well as a silent auction and live musical entertainment provided by Vinita’s-own Dr. Daniel Day and Joey Lair.

Supervised activities for children, ages 3-10, are planned so parents can enjoy an early Valentine’s date. Coordinated by Vinita High School DECA Club students, the children’s activities will include crafts and games. Parents can check-in their children to have fun while they leisurely enjoy the chocolate.

“We are really looking forward to some special additions at this year’s Chocolate Affair,” said Misty Bingham, Home of Hope marketing and development officer. “We are again gathering some great prizes for guests to have the opportunity to win, along with silent auction items that would be wonderful Valentine’s gifts.”

Guests at this year’s event will also be able to purchase specially packaged Valentine treats created by Home of Hope clients. According to Bingham, sales from these special chocolate treats will support local athlete Jackie Long as he travels to Seattle in June as part of Team Oklahoma to compete in the Special Olympics USA Games.

Details about an upcoming greenhouse project, funded by the Cresap Family Foundation in coordination with the Vinita FFA, will also be unveiled during the evening.

Tickets for the Chocolate Affair are $10 in advance and can be purchased at Home of Hope, Centsible Spending Vinita, Clanton’s Cafe, Janet’s Gifts, Lucille’s Flowers, the Vinita Area Chamber of Commerce and the Vinita Daily Journal. Tickets will be $20 at the door and are $10 for children 12 and under, five and under are free.

Vendors at the 11th annual Chocolate Affair will include Tina’s Cakes, Vinita FFA, Clanton’s Cafe, First National Bank, Home of Hope, Diamondhead Winery, The Artichoke Restaurant, Rollin’ In Dough bakery, Carter’s Foods, Shangri-La Resort, The Lighthouse Supper Club/Stuff’ns Cafe, Oke Ozark Winery, Pier 13 Wine & Spirits, The Coffee Shelter, Green Country Liquor, Spike’s Liquor, Trails End Sanctuary, Integris Vinita, Ropin Flamingo Italian Ice and Centsible Spending Vinita.

The Chocolate Affair is an annual fundraiser for Home of Hope, a nonprofit, community-based organization that provides residential and vocational programs to persons with developmental and other disabilities.

The event was started in 2008 to support the Home of Hope programs and operations.

“Contributions to the Chocolate Affair helps Home of Hope achieve our mission of promoting choices, independence and a meaningful way of life to the more than 250 individuals we serve,” said Home of Hope CEO Dr. Ralph Richardson. “As state and federal funding sources continue to be reduced, the cost of and need for our services continues to increase. This makes events such as the Chocolate Affair vital to our services. We are very appreciative of the vendors and guests who make this event possible.”

Established in 1968, Home of Hope Inc. has operations in Vinita, Jay, Miami, Claremore, Grove and Pryor. In addition to serving more than 250 adults, Home of Hope employs more than 600 staff members.

The Chocolate Affair will be held in the Craig County Community Center at 915 East Apperson Road, in Vinita.

For more information, contact Bingham at (918) 256-7825, ext. 168 or email her at MistyBingham@homeofhope.com.