Area designers raise funds for nonprofit

NEWTON — The creative touch of several local interior designers will be added to A Taste of Talent, the annual fundraiser on behalf of Project Self-Sufficiency, which will be held at Perona Farms on April 20.

In addition to sampling hors d'oeuvres, entrees and desserts from more than 30 area restaurants, patrons will be invited to bid on table arrangements created by the designers. Each table may contain place settings, art objects, floral arrangements, and decorative items designed to highlight popular Broadway shows. The highest bidder will take home the contents of the entire table.

Now in its 19th year, A Taste of Talent will benefit Project Self-Sufficiency, a local non-profit agency specializing in services for low-income families in Sussex, Warren and Hunterdon counties. Sponsorships for the event range from $500 to $25,000, and a limited number of individual tickets are available at a cost of $200.

Local designers who will be participating in the event include Patricia Bruterri, Sweet P.E.A.'s; Alicia Shearer, Alicia Shearer Interior Design; Holly George, Holly George Interior Design; and Jacky Murphey, Victory Frame Shop. Table designs will feature items associated with the Broadway shows Gigi, Honeymoon in Vegas and West Side Story.

Designer Alicia Shearer is enthusiastic about contributing her designs to A Taste of Talent this year.

"It's a great honor to be involved in A Taste of Talent again this year," she said. :The event is going to be special. The services that Project Self-Sufficiency provides to the community are wonderful, and I am inspired just to participate."

Patricia Bruterri, owner of Sweet P.E.A.'s said, "Project Self-Sufficiency helps the community in need in so many diverse ways. The Taste of Talent event offers the community a way not only to give back, but also to enjoy a fun and wonderful night out. I know people who have been helped by Project Self-Sufficiency. This agency makes it so much easier for people to get back on their feet."

"Participating in A Taste of Talent is my way of giving back," said Holly George, of Holly George Interior Designs.

Jacky Murphey, of Victory Frame Shop, said that she enthusiastically offers her design expertise each year.

"I believe in Project Self-Sufficiency and what they are doing for the community and this is my way of participating. I love doing it," she said.

Restaurants which will be participating in A Taste of Talent include Perona Farms; Big Bang Kitchens; Black Forest Inn; Bobolink Dairy; Café Pierrot; Chatterbox Drive-In; Chocolate Goat Gift Shoppe, St. Moritz Grill and Bar and others.

"A Taste of Talent is our signature fundraising event and the cornerstone to our annual campaign," said Deborah Berry-Toon, Executive Director of Project Self-Sufficiency. "We are looking forward to the creative energy which will be added by the design community to this special evening."

Project Self-Sufficiency is a private non-profit community-based organization dedicated to improving the lives of low-income families residing in northwestern New Jersey. The agency's mission is to provide a broad spectrum of holistic, respectful, and comprehensive services enabling low-income single parents, teen parents, two-parent families, and displaced homemakers to improve their lives and the lives of their children while achieving personal and economic self-sufficiency and family stability. Since 1986 Project Self-Sufficiency has served more than 20,000 families, including over 30,000 children.

Perona Farms is located at 350 Andover-Sparta Road in Andover.

For more information about the programs and services available at the agency call 973-940-3500.