from staff
Dignity U Wear, the locally-based national nonprofit that provides brand new clothing to men, women and children in need, will hold its annual end-of-summer fundraising event, “Dignity Excellence” Sept. 24. This year’s wine and food pairing event is in the lobby of the Modis Building and will feature the signature dishes of some of Jacksonville’s best restaurants including Bistro Aix, Blue Bamboo, Mossfire Grill, O’Brothers Irish Pub and Pastiche. Billed as “an evening of fine wine, great food and cool entertainment,” the fundraiser is from 6–9 p.m. Tickets for the event are $75 each or $50 each if purchased in groups of 10 or more.
“This event is in its third year and the changes we’re making reflect feedback we have received from supporters and partners in order to expand and improve the experience,” said Dignity U Wear Executive Director, Bob Bryan. “We’re so pleased to have the participation of several terrific restaurants, in addition to Bistro Aix, which has been with us since the event’s inception. And we’re thrilled to have Republic National Distributing Company, the area’s premier distributor of fine wines, as our presenting sponsor. Our guests can expect a really enjoyable evening of incredible wine, fabulous food and great music.”
Musician David Lee Redding will perform. A drawing for prizes will include a personal, temperature-controlled wine cellar stocked with fine wine, a private wine tasting for 20 people and a $250 Bistro Aix gift card. The Dignity U Wear Auction will allow guests to bid on bottles of wine, wine packages, accessories, baskets and other items.
Many of the featured wines paired with the food will also be available for purchase, with a portion of the proceeds going to Dignity U Wear.
Other sponsors of this year’s event include Zurich Insurance Services and Vulcan Materials Company.
Dignity U Wear was founded in 2000 and distributes brand new clothing it receives from manufacturers, distributors and retailers through a network of recipient nonprofit agencies, schools and other organizations throughout the United States.
Locally, the organization has donated more than $25 million of brand new clothing through 70 Northeast Florida-area nonprofits. Nationally, the organization has provided more than 5.7 million pieces, valued at $101 million, to more than 390,000 people.
Dignity U Wear relies on the help of volunteers, who process 100 percent of the incoming inventory, providing 95 percent of the time and labor necessary to accomplish the task. Individuals and corporate and service groups visit our warehouse daily to help us do the work that must be done in order for us to help people in need.
Individual and group tickets for Dignity Excellence may be purchased online at www.dignityuwear.org. For more information about Dignity U Wear, call 636-9455.