Project Mobility partnering with St. Charles restaurants to host ‘Long Table Dinner’ Aug. 18
On Sunday, Aug. 18, Project Mobility is partnering with St. Charles restaurants in hosting its first “Long Table Dinner,” a multicourse al fresco dinner fundraiser.
Project Mobility changes lives one bike at a time. Its mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of children, adults, and wounded soldiers with disabilities. The 501(c)3 nonprofit provides the services, resources, and equipment needed to promote better health, independence, and the freedom of mobility through adaptive cycling.
The event will start with a Bubbles & Brews Reception from 4 to 5 p.m. at Pollyanna Brewing, after which guests will stroll across the street to a curated six-course dinner and craft cocktail pairing along the Fox River, with each restaurant preparing one course. The participating restaurants are The Graceful Ordinary, moto imoto, Rock 'n Ravioli, Dukes Northwoods, Flagship on the Fox, and Kimmer's Ice Cream.
The craft cocktail pairing will be created by The Lewis and The Graceful Ordinary. It’s an opportunity to sample the best of St. Charles’ restaurants, all in one evening. There will be live music, raffles, silent auction, and Project Mobility's adaptive bike giveaway.
Tickets are $150. Ticket sales close at 11:59 p.m. Aug. 11. For tickets or information, go to www.longtabledinnerbenefit.com.
Guests, who are asked to wear “summer whites” to show their support of Project Mobility, will be treated to live music, raffles, a silent auction, and the opportunity to participate in a Project Mobility adaptive bike giveaway.
This fundraiser is part of a busy year of events, including the 12th annual Everybody Rides held June 9 at James O. Breen Park and the eighth annual Hops for Hope 5K & BrewFest held in early October in Mount St. Mary Park.
“We are beyond excited about this year’s fundraisers,” said Katherine Reda, Project Mobility’s event director. “We’ve wanted to host the Long Table event for years, and it’s finally become a reality. We know people are going to love it … it’s such a great addition to the ride and the run, and of course, it’s for such a great cause!”
Project Mobility makes the experience of cycling available for the disabled. It provides opportunities for children, adults, and wounded soldiers to use specialized adaptive bicycles that provide them with a sense of freedom, possibility, and ability.
Started after The Bike Rack owner Hal Honeyman’s son Jacob was born with cerebral palsy, the group takes adaptive bikes to schools for children with disabilities, rehabilitative hospitals, veterans’ hospitals, and other places where disabled people can see them and try them. They also custom-build adaptive cycling experiences for organizations, host adaptive cycling days to allow participants to try cycles of all types, and hold multiple adaptive bike giveaways throughout the year.
Later on in the fall, you can join the eighth annual Hops for Hope 5K & BrewFest on Saturday, Oct. 5, at Mount St. Mary Park, off Route 31 in St. Charles. It is presented by 93 Octane Brewery. It has been named one of the Top 100 Races in America by Bibwave. The 5K is timed and the course is certified. Open to both runners and walkers, the 5K starts at Mount St. Mary Park in St. Charles and heads toward Geneva on a scenic path featuring five beer stops hosted by local craft breweries. This year, 93 Octane Brewery, Obscurity Brewing, Pollyanna Brewing, Riverlands Brewing, and BBGB Brewery and Hopfarm will be handing out 3-oz. beer samples.
The course ends back at the park for the BrewFest, where participants receive 18 samples of beer while enjoying local musicians and a variety of foods from Craft Urban, the event’s exclusive food sponsor. There will be raffle tickets for a “Mountain of Beer” and the opportunity to participate in a Project Mobility Adaptive Bike Giveaway. Last year’s event donated nearly $20,000 in adaptive bicycles. No one under age 21 is permitted entry to the 5K and BrewFest. (This includes babies and strollers.)
Cost is $70 for the 5K and Brewfest Combo Pack; $55 for the Brewfest only. Designated drivers can skip the 5K and enjoy the local restaurant offerings, vendors and live music for $15. Register at www.hopsforhope5k.com.
Sponsors and volunteers
In addition to welcoming participation, Project Mobility is seeking sponsors and volunteers. To learn more, contact event director Katherine Reda at katherine@projectmobility.org or (630) 464-2991.
For more on Project Mobility, visit www.projectmobility.org or facebook.com/ProjectMobility.org.