Come June 25, it’s time to break out the Hawaiian shirt and flip-flops for a tropical-themed charity benefit on the Potomac waterfront.
Parrothead Paradise, the 5th annual Fostering the Future Cruise, is an event hoping to raise money for children in foster care. Hosted by the Advisory Council of The Fund for Alexandria's Child at the Department of Human Services, Parrothead Paradise is a night full of music, food and drink.
"Helping kids in foster care is very important because these children are in the custody of the government, but the only thing the government can pay essentially is room, board and medical care," Suzanne Kratzok, Coordinator of Community Resources for the Department of Human Resources, said. "Everything children would have, in a normal situation, is not available to them unless we raise the money to help."
A cocktail reception will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the dock at Cameron and Union Streets behind the Torpedo Factory Art Center. Between 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., attendees will board the "Cherry Blossom" for dinner and dancing to the island-style music of the Nautical Wheelers Band on the Potomac River.
Nautical Wheelers Band lead singer Mike Philip said the opportunity to play for this particular cause was too much to pass up.
"If they are raising money for a good charity, then we definitely go out of our way to accommodate them," Philip said. "It seemed like a great way to ‘party with a purpose’. Go out and have a good time while you are raising money for a good cause. Should be a great time."
Mango Mike’s Restaurant will provide a buffet of tropical cuisine and Whole Foods Market Old Town will offer desserts.
The cruise is for adults only, with tickets $65 per person. Dress attire for the benefit is casual and flip-flops are optional.
The Fund for Alexandria’s Child is a volunteer group that helps children at risk of abuse or neglect and in foster care. Proceeds raised at the fundraising events assist in ways ranging from school fees to piano lessons.
For more information about the event or to reserve tickets, please call (703) 519-3318 ext. 206.
Cruise Sponsors are FBR Capital Markets and GEICO. Other major supporters are: Potomac Riverboat Company; R & B Heating and Air Conditioning; Sue and Marty Goodhart; William D. Euille & Associates; Bonomo Family Foundation; Costello Construction; Dominion Dental Services; Gerry and Debbie File; Rob and Callie MacKenzie; Bittersweet Café and Catering; Sunrise-Sunset, LLC; T. J. Fannon; Caboose Café and Bakery; Michele Cole, LCSW; Dickstein, Shapiro, LLC; HCA Dominion Hospital; Jo Erkilitian; Jake's of Old Town; Landmark Honda; Land Rover of Alexandria; Stone Aesthetic Dentistry; United Bank; William Harrison Imports, Inc.; and ASAP Printing.