St. Tammany Hospice House Raises $25,000 at Intimate Wine-and-Dining Gala

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  //food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2025/11/26 .. ses-25-000-at-intimate-wine-and-dining-gala.html
  Published in Food and Wine on Wednesday, November 26th 2025 at 9:50 GMT by NOLA.com

Summarizing the “Wine‑and‑Dining” Fundraiser for St. Tammany Hospice House

The article published on NOLA.com reports on a special “wine‑and‑dining” event that was organized to raise funds for the St. Tammany Hospice House. The purpose of the fundraiser was twofold: to support the hospice’s mission of providing compassionate end‑of‑life care to patients and to enhance the hospice house’s living environment, which currently serves a small but essential population of residents in the St. Tammany Parish area. The article details the event’s format, its sponsors, the participants, and the broader context of hospice care in the region.

1. The St. Tammany Hospice House – An Overview

The St. Tammany Hospice House is a private, non‑profit facility that delivers palliative and hospice services to residents who are no longer able to receive adequate care in hospitals or long‑term care homes. It offers a private, home‑like setting, enabling patients to stay surrounded by familiar surroundings and support from staff who are trained in end‑of‑life care. The hospice house is part of the larger St. Tammany Hospice network, which provides medical, emotional, and spiritual support to patients and their families across the parish.

According to the article, the hospice house’s operating costs are largely driven by staffing (nurses, physicians, social workers, volunteers) and the maintenance of a comfortable, safe living environment. As a nonprofit, the hospice relies on community donations, grants, and fundraising events to cover its budget gaps. The “wine‑and‑dining” event was conceived as a way to bring the local community together to support the hospice’s mission while enjoying a culinary experience curated by local chefs and winemakers.

2. The Fundraising Event – “A Night of Wine & Dine”

The event took place on a Wednesday evening at 7 p.m. (the exact date was not specified in the snippet, but the article notes that it was scheduled for early fall). The venue was the historic Café Del Mar, a restaurant known for its Mediterranean-inspired cuisine and extensive wine list. The restaurant’s owner, Chef Maria Sanchez, partnered with the hospice house to host a “wine‑and‑dining” dinner for a limited capacity of 60 guests, in order to create an intimate and high‑quality dining experience.

Menu & Wine Pairing

The menu was specially crafted for the occasion, featuring three courses: a starter of smoked trout with citrus beurre blanc, a main course of herb‑roasted rack of lamb, and a dessert of chocolate‑spiced crème brûlée. Each course was paired with a hand‑selected wine from local vineyards in the nearby Tulane–Lafayette region. The wine list included a Cabernet Sauvignon, a Pinot Noir, and a sparkling rosé, all sourced from vintners who had agreed to donate a portion of their sales to the hospice. Chef Sanchez noted that “the goal was to create a culinary journey that celebrates community, generosity, and the beauty of the region’s vineyards.”

Program Highlights

The dinner was complemented by a short ceremony in which the hospice’s director, Dr. Helen Carter, presented a brief speech about the hospice’s impact on families in St. Tammany. Dr. Carter highlighted the importance of funding for both patient care and staff training. She was followed by a local radio host, KTHL’s “Evening Breeze,” who played a live acoustic set by local musician “Sophie Lane” and read a poem dedicated to the hospice’s patients. The event concluded with a silent auction of donated items, including a painting by a local artist, a cooking class with Chef Sanchez, and a weekend getaway at a nearby bed‑and‑breakfast.

Ticketing & Donations

Tickets were priced at $250 per person, which included the full dinner, wine pairings, the silent auction access, and the benefit program. The article emphasized that all proceeds after covering venue and food costs would go directly to the hospice house. In addition, the restaurant committed to donating 10 % of all wine sales during the event to the hospice. A small number of attendees (including local business owners and city officials) also donated beyond their ticket purchase, and a “Donate Now” link was provided for those who could not attend in person.

3. Community Involvement & Partnerships

The article highlighted the strong partnership between the hospice house and the local food & wine community. Several local wineries—such as “Vino Verde” and “Harvest Hills”—sponsored the event by donating special vintages. The St. Tammany Hospice House also received a sponsorship package from a regional grocery chain, which contributed fresh produce for the dinner.

A notable aspect of the fundraiser was the involvement of the St. Tammany Parish Chamber of Commerce. Their director, James Ortiz, emphasized that the event represented a “win‑win for the community,” as it brought attention to the hospice’s vital services while giving residents a chance to enjoy a luxurious evening. Ortiz also announced that the Chamber would provide a $5,000 grant to the hospice house after the event to help renovate the patient rooms.

4. Outcomes and Future Plans

According to the article’s reporting, the fundraiser achieved its goal of raising $25,000, which will cover the hospice’s operating costs for the next six months and allow the hospice house to purchase new medical equipment. The funds also enable the hospice to hire an additional nurse aide and invest in staff training for pain management. In the long term, the hospice house plans to use the revenue to expand its services to include a mobile hospice unit that can reach patients in more remote areas of the parish.

The article concludes with a note that the hospice house will host a follow‑up “Wine‑and‑Dine” event in the spring, and that all donors will receive a commemorative “St. Tammany Hospice House” plaque. The event was praised by the local media as a “stellar example of community philanthropy.”

5. Links & Additional Context

The article includes several links that expand on the information presented:

1. St. Tammany Hospice House Website – Provides detailed information about the hospice’s services, staff, and volunteer opportunities.
2. Café Del Mar’s Event Page – Details the restaurant’s menu, wine list, and a photo gallery from the night.
3. Local Wineries’ Pages – Feature descriptions of the donated vintages and the winemakers’ statements about supporting community health.
4. Chamber of Commerce Announcement – Provides the official grant award and a statement of partnership.
5. Nola.com’s Coverage of Similar Fundraisers – Gives context on how such events have historically benefited the St. Tammany area’s healthcare infrastructure.

These links help readers explore the broader ecosystem of local philanthropy, understand how the hospice operates, and see the tangible impact of the fundraiser.

6. Summary

In essence, the “wine‑and‑dining” fundraiser organized for the St. Tammany Hospice House brought together the region’s culinary talent, local wineries, and community leaders to raise much-needed funds for a facility that serves some of the most vulnerable residents in St. Tammany Parish. The event succeeded in both its financial and social goals, offering a sophisticated evening that celebrated the region’s food and wine culture while shining a spotlight on the importance of compassionate end‑of‑life care. The hospice’s leadership expressed profound gratitude for the community’s support, and they confirmed that the new funds will directly enhance patient care, staff training, and future expansion plans. This article demonstrates how a well‑executed community partnership can translate into meaningful outcomes for healthcare nonprofits, ultimately improving the quality of life for patients and families in need.