Emilio Nares Foundation Celebrates 14th Annual Harvest for Hope Fundraiser

“In a child’s fight for their life, they shouldn’t have to also fight for their dignity.” -Richard Nares, co-founder of the Emilio Nares Foundation

The Emilio Nares Foundation (ENF), non-profit organization that helps families navigate their child’s journey through cancer and provides programs to support a child’s best chance of recovery celebrated their 14^th annual Harvest for Hope fundraiser on Sunday, October 1, at the San Diego Central Library to benefit ENF’s support programs. Bringing together some of the finest chefs in San Diego to present unique dishes paired with some of the finest wines and spirits in the world, Harvest for Hope created a beautiful and fun afternoon of great food, wine, music and friendship.

Photo by: Olive Creative Strategies, Inc.

The 14^th Annual Harvest for Hope event featured signature dishes from more than 13 participating local restaurants that have supported ENF for years, including the event’s founding partners Brooklyn Girl, Café Chloe, Legal Restaurants, AR Valentien, Pamplemousse Grille and Carnitas Snack Shack. Founding partners Ingrid Croce and Jimmy Rock, who were one of the first to support Richard and Diane with meals while their son Emilio was battling cancer, were instrumental in creating and growing Harvest for Hope into such a success.

“Each year these restaurants offer the most amazing support to our programs,” said Richard Nares, co-founder and lead visionary of the Emilio Nares Foundation. “These founding owners and chefs have cooked for our family for years while we were with Emilio battling cancer in the hospital, and have since continued to support Harvest for Hope since our first event in 2003.”

Guests enjoyed tastings from 13 local restaurants, including Brooklyn Girl, Café Chloe, Legal Restaurants, AR Valentien, The Lodge at Torrey Pines, Pamplemousse Grille, Carnitas Snack Shack, Little Lion Café, Morton’s Steakhouse, Solare, Sweet Cheeks Baking Co., Waypoint Public, Crust Pizzeria, and Harry’s Coffee Shop. In addition to the spread of fine cuisine, the event also included a cocktail bar hosted by Snake Oil Cocktail Company, beer donated by Ballast Point Brewing Co., as well as a silent auction and live auction with food, wine, and other gifts.

Photo by: Olive Creative Strategies, Inc.

Founded by Richard and Diane Nares, who lost their son, Emilio to cancer at only five years old, ENF has been helping families navigate their child’s journey through cancer since 2003. They felt inspired to turn their loss into a legacy and help other children beat cancer. Since then, ENF has touched the lives of families in San Diego and across the country with resources and support. Each year, ENF hosts the Harvest For Hope fundraising event to partner with community members and organizations to continue supporting these families in need.

ENF provides free services for families and patients through one of the most difficult and sometimes devastating time of their lives. The flagship Ride With Emilio pediatric cancer patient transportation program provides free and reliable rides for low-income patients and their families to and from treatment appointments, many of whom don’t have a car and would be forced to ride public transit for hours just to make it to the hospital. Annually ENF’s seven vans travel more than 100,000 miles and provide 4,250 rides for more than 220 patient families across Southern California.

Beyond Southern California and in children hospitals across the country are Emilio’s Loving Tabs shirts created by ENF and designed with an open-close shoulder panel to allow medical professionals to easily administer chemotherapy into a child’s permanent chest catheter port, without requiring children to lift or remove their clothes. Emilio’s Loving Tabs shirts provide a faster and easier treatment process for all involved, and most importantly restore dignity in these children’s most vulnerable and sometimes painful times.

Photo by: Olive Creative Strategies, Inc.

At this year’s Harvest for Hope, three child patients that access ENF’s support programs like Ride With Emilio and the Loving Tabs Healing Shirts shared their personal stories about their battle with cancer. Thanks to the support of ENF during their journey, each of these children were given a fighting chance and the ability to tell their story. ENF offers a variety of ways to get involved and support their programs, including volunteering at their office and special events or even creating unique fundraising campaigns like charity golf tournaments or bake sales. Volunteers can even join the Charity Cheetah Runners, a team dedicated to raising money for ENF through their official Charity Cheetah Runner races. With volunteer opportunities, Charity Cheetah Runners, DIY fundraising and sponsorship opportunities, there’s something for everyone to get involved and support ENF.

To learn more about ENF and how to get involved, visit www.enfhope.org .