'Hope On The Vine' Gala Fundraiser To Benefit Newtown Firefighters

NEWTOWN TOWNSHIP, PA — Newtown firefighters will be among the big beneficiaries of this year’s "Hope on the Vine" gala fundraiser coming up this Friday, April 11 from 7 to 11 p.m. at Rafters, 101 Friends Lane.

Tickets to the hottest evening in town are selling fast, reports gala organizers, who have a memorable evening of music, prizes, excellent food, and socialization planned.

Organized by the Newtown Rotary Club, "Hope on the Vine" is the biggest fundraising event of the year for the service organization, which will be raising funds for Newtown Fire Rescue and for the club’s beneficiaries.

“We are excited this year to be partnering with our firefighters and to support them for everything they do for our community,” said Rotarian Stephanie Eubanks, who is co-chairing the event with Danielle Wittig. “Your support at this year's gala will help equip our local heroes who stand ready 24/7 to serve our community. You don’t want to miss this event. It’s going to be the biggest party in Newtown that night."

Retired Newtown Fire Rescue volunteer and Newtown Rotarian Bill Wise, who helped raise more than $60,000 two years ago for the fire company at a gala evening at Rose Bank Winery, said instead of competing for sponsorships and gift donations this year it made sense for the fire company to partner with the Rotary Club and Hope On The Vine.

"The partnership made sense," said Wise, who has been raising money and securing gifts for the silent and live auctions. "It's going to be a fun evening. And what a great way to give back to your firefighters who are there every day for the community."

According to Wise, the special evening will be dedicated to the memory of two longtime community volunteers - former Newtown Fire Chief George Forsyth Sr. who died in March and longtime Rotarian Jack Erickson who passed away last week. Video tributes to both gentlemen will be shown throughout the evening on two large-screen monitors.

Enjoying the festivities at last year's Hope On The Vine. (Newtown Rotary Club)

The not-to-be-missed evening will also feature live music, a mouth-watering array of food catered by Chef Joe Garvey, a cigar and bourbon bar, beer selections from Iron Hill Brewery and Second Sin Taproom, an open bar, a 100-bottle Wine Pull, and a silent and live auction featuring some of the coolest prizes around.

Guests can expect a lot of Eagles gear and Super Bowl memorabilia at this year’s auction along with 20 gift baskets brimming with prizes donated generously by the Newtown business community.

There will also be a chance to win catered dinners by Chef Joe Garvey, La Stalla Restaurant, and Piccolo Trattoria.

In addition, Wise has secured what are sure to be memorable experiences donated by Bucks County fire companies, including a ride on a Yardley-Makefield fire truck in the Yardley Christmas Parade, a ride on the New Hope Eagle Rescue Boat on the Delaware River, a ride on a Lingohocken fire truck followed by a pizza party at the fire station, and a private party at the Upper Makefield Fire Station.

"We have loads of good stuff," said Wise, who will be conducting the live auction portion of the evening. "It's going to be spectacular."

Wise has also secured a gift basket donated by Notre Dame High School including a $250 gift certificate toward its summer camp along with sweatshirts and hats; a gift basket from Burns Auto Repair loaded with Italian specialties; along with donations of wine, power equipment from Tanner's, and framed drone artwork.

Tickets are $125 per person or $230 per couple. They can be purchased by clicking here.