Café Thirty-A’s Annual Christmas Charity Ball, presented by honorary sponsors All Access Coach Leasing and Mercantile, was held on Saturday, December 2, 2023 and raised a record-breaking $64,000 for Caring and Sharing of South Walton, an organization that provides food and financial assistance to area families and individuals in need.
The sold-out event welcomed over 300 guests to the festively decorated restaurant, courtesy of The Grove Salon. Ticket holders were greeted with complimentary valet, sponsored by Centennial Bank, and a glass of champagne, courtesy of Corcoran Reverie. Inside, event goers enjoyed heavy hors d’oeuvres, a gourmet dinner buffet, a cash bar sponsored by Hannah Martin of Coastal Luxury, and dessert courtesy of Coastal Insurance. Sponsors and VIP attendees also received exclusive access to a pre-party event presented by Bert Summerville of Scenic Sotheby’s International Realty.
Throughout the night, guests had the opportunity to view and bid on various pieces of art, jewelry, gift baskets, and other luxurious items featured in the extensive silent auction. There was also a photo booth, courtesy of A BOHEME Design, for guests to commemorate the evening and a DJ, sponsored by 30A Luxury Vacations, which kept the dance floor going all night long. Isacks Imagery was also there to capture the evening, courtesy of Theresa Russo Felton of La Florida Coastal Properties.
This was the first charity ball held since longtime owner, Harriet Crommelin, passed away in early 2023. In honor of her memory, Café Thirty-A would like to thank Mercantile and All Access Coach Leasing for supporting this year’s event as the two Harriet Crommelin Honorary Sponsors.
"It is a privilege and honor to host this event for Caring and Sharing of South Walton,” said Jackie Maliszewski, co-owner of Café Thirty-A. “I know it meant a lot to Harriet and we are proud to continue her legacy year after year.”
Through ticket sales, sponsorship, donations, and funds raised from the silent auction, the annual event raised a record-breaking grand total of $64,000 for Caring and Sharing of South Walton. The money raised will be used to provide local families with access to food, financial assistance, case management, and connection to other resources.
“The $64,000 raised will help us continue providing necessary resources to Walton County families,” said Carly Barnes, executive director of Caring and Sharing of South Walton. “Thanks to the support of Cafe Thirty-A, the event sponsors, and the attendees, the event continues to get better and better. We are so thankful for the continued support!”
Café Thirty-A would like to thank all of those who donated to the silent auction including 3 Sons Bar-B-Q, 30A Arrange, 30A Company, 30Apron, Aja 30A, Alys Beach, Amavida Coffee, Avantgarde Salon, Best Elite Tan, Big Daddy's Bike Shop, Bison Beach Home, Blue Door Design, Blue Mabel, Blush Beauty Lounge, Boshamps Seafood & Oyster House, Bradley Copeland Studio, Camp Creek Inn, Chanticleer Eatery, Chi Works, Chloe Bee Photography, Destin Life, Down Island Gulf Seafood Restaurant, Emerald Coast Crystal Gallery, Emerald Coast Magazine, Emerald Coast Theatre Company, Enchanting Picnic Co., Float Brothers Float Spa, Fore Her, Grayton Beer Company, Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa, Idyll Hound Proper, JA 30A Salon, Jacqueline Ward Images, Jamie Rich Photography, John Hardy, Jonah Allen Studio, Kathy Schumacher Art, Kelly French, Krewe, La Luna Children's Boutique, Legendary Marine, Liminal, Local Catch 30A, Louis Louis, Love + Grow Clothing Co., Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation, McNeese Title, Mercantile, Merry Beth Myrick Designs, Moon Creek Studio, Om Relaxation Spa, Osaka Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi, Pure & Collective, Pure 7 Studios, Red Fish Taco, Regatta Bay Golf and Yacht Club, Reshelled Jewelry, Restaurant Paradis, Shore Thing Cigars, Sinfonia Gulf Coast, Smith Coastal LLC, Spell Restaurant Group, Still Waters Aesthetics, Stinky's Fish Camp, Susan Calhoun, Sweet Henrietta's, Swell Pops, Swiftly Catered, The Bay, The Henry Haus, The Hidden Lantern Bookstore, The Zoo Gallery, Vacayzen, Van Palma, VIE Magazine Vin’tij Food and Wine, VIP 30A Magazine, VIP Destin Magazine, Wendy Pearls, Whiskey Spa, Yoga with Kenzie, and YOLO Board + Bike.