Chocolate Festival helps seniors pay utility bills

• The first Central Ohio Chocolate Festival attracted 31 vendors and almost 200 visitors.
• The event at Heritage Hall will benefit senior citizens unable to pay delinquent utility bills.

NEWARK — Any fundraiser that starts with chocolate and ends by helping senior citizens can't help but be one sweet success.

That was the thinking behind the first Central Ohio Chocolate Festival on Saturday at Heritage Hall Senior Center on East Main Street.

Proceeds from the Licking County Aging Program event will benefit the Senior Citizens Emergency Utility Assistance Program, which helps people age 60 and older who are unable to pay delinquent utility bills.

The event attracted 31 vendors and almost 200 visitors to sample treats, take a chance on prizes and listen to music.

Bonnie Morton, community outreach director for the county aging program, credited senior volunteer Rachel Powell with coming up with the idea.

"She attended a chocolate festival and wanted us to have one here," Morton said. "We wanted people to know there's a need and wanted to help those seniors with disconnect notices and don't know where to turn."

Powell said she hopes the festival can grow in future years and praised program executive director Dave Bibler for suggesting where to direct the funds.

"We asked Dave Bibler, and he said that's the one area we don't have funding for," Campbell said. "If I can plant the seed and make things happen, whatever the agency thinks is best. You have to go where the need is."

Linnea Gold, an activities planner with the aging program, said Powell was a key to the festival's success.

"She's been a cheerleader for us," Gold said. "She's our No. 1 cheerleader. She's an advocate for seniors and is a senior herself. She just brings great ideas and is always thinking how she can help people."

Jacque LaRue, of Velvet Ice Cream, said she thinks the event will only increase in popularity in coming years.

"I think it's awesome to see all the different styles of chocolate and desserts," LaRue said. "It's a homey and friendly atmosphere. (Velvet) likes to give to the community. It's nice to be part of it."

Forty-two items were raffled off, including an Ohio State basket, a free night at Hampton Inn and a full-body massage. Sponsors included Kroger, Velvet Ice Cream, TrueCore Federal Credit Union, People's Bank and Ariel Corp.

J.D. Madden, manager of the Kroger store in Hebron, said Kroger donated hot/cold bags, five door prizes and samples of chocolate.

"I was pretty happy with how many people were here," Madden said. "It wasn't just like one group of people. There were young, old, families. I think I saw one (couple) on a date."

Tickets for the festival were $10 for adults and $7 for children, seniors and group members.

"We're very grateful for all the volunteers and vendors and donors," Morton said. "This was our very first chocolate festival, and we really had no idea what to expect."

kmallett@newarkadvocate.com

740-328-8545

Twitter: @kmallett1958