Speak-easy dance raises $4,700 for food closet

FARMINGTON — They danced to jazz music, ate entrees named after gangsters and raised $4,700 during the third annual Speak-easy Dance Party on Nov. 9 at the Homestead Bar and Bakery.

The 1920s style dance party turned the restaurant into a Prohibition-era speak-easy, “The Zebra Club,” to raise funds for the Care and Share Food Closet in Farmington.

It was a huge success, organizers Doug and Sherry Walrath said Friday.

Ticket sales and donations brought in $3,200, $500 more than last year. The amount was enough to earn a matching donation from Franklin Savings Bank, which added another $1,500.

“The generosity of people in our community means that lots of children and their families will have something to eat this winter,” Sherry Walrath said.

While selling tickets for the event, many gave an extra donation to support the need, she said.

The Walraths and Laurie Danforth of the Homestead, who also organized the event, met with Tim Thompson, senior vice president of Franklin Savings Bank, and Carolyn McLaughlin, volunteer coordinator for the food closet, Friday at the Homestead. Thompson brought the bank match and all proceeds were donated to the food closet.

The chance to dress up, dance or listen to jazz and have fun to support a good cause filled the Homestead, organizers said.

“What a fantastic night!” Danforth said. “It keeps getting better.”

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: The third annual Speak-easy Dance Party on Nov. 9 raised $4,700 for the Care and Share Food Closet in Farmington. At the Homestead Kitchen Bar and Bakery on Friday are, from left, Tim Thompson, senior vice president at Franklin Savings Bank, event organizers Doug and Sherry Walrath, Carolyn McLaughlin, volunteer coordinator for the food closet, and Laurie Danforth of the Homestead, who also helped organize the benefit.

: The third annual Speak-easy Dance Party held Nov. 9 raised $4,700 for the Care and Share Food Closet in Farmington. At the Homestead Kitchen Bar and Bakery on Friday are, from left, Tim Thompson, senior vice president at Franklin Savings Bank, Laurie Danforth of the Homestead, event organizers Doug and Sherry Walrath and Carolyn McLaughlin, volunteer coordinator for the food closet.

: The third annual Speak-easy Dance Party on Nov. 9 raised $4,700 for the Care and Share Food Closet in Farmington. At the Homestead Kitchen Bar and Bakery on Friday are, from left, Tim Thompson, senior vice president at Franklin Savings Bank, Laurie Danforth of the Homestead, event organizers Doug and Sherry Walrath, and Carolyn McLaughlin, volunteer coordinator for the food closet.