The public is invited to attend the 20th annual Dishes for Wishes, the delicious cooking school and fine dining experience hosted by the Big Hearts for Little Hearts Loma Linda Guild. The event, which begins at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 30, will be held at the National Orange Show NOS Event Center in San Bernardino.
“Tea Time” will be the theme for the event, a fund- and awareness-raiser for Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital. In addition to cooking demonstrations and tasting opportunities by Inland Empire celebrity chefs, the event will offer specialty boutiques, an opportunity drawing, and a colorful recipe booklet to take home. Local law enforcement officers, firefighters and Teen Challenge volunteers will serve as wait staff.
The big question on everyone’s mind this year will be whether Martha Green will extend the deadline for her retirement as Mistress of Ceremonies. Green’s quick wit and colorful repartee have been signatures of the event since its inception in 1999, but during the 18th annual installment in 2017, the flamboyant restaurateur famously announced plans to head the event until the new Children’s Hospital opens. Since that event is drawing near, questions are circulating regarding Green’s intentions. Dishes for Wishes organizers have said it will be very difficult, if not impossible, to replace Green.
This has been an eventful year for members of the guild. On Sept. 19, the guild was declared winner of the 2019 Volunteer of the Year award by the Inland Empire chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. The award will be presented to Laurie Munson, president of the guild, at the Nov. 12 luncheon of the association. Earlier, the guild also hosted three events at Children’s Hospital: the Spring Read, Luke the Lion’s Birthday Party, and Fall into Reading.
In discussing the purpose of the guild, Laurie Munson noted that everything the organization does is directed towards making life better for Inland Empire children.
“Some of our activities, such as Dishes for Wishes, are targeted towards raising money for special needs and programs at Loma Linda University Children’s Hospitals,” she said, noting that last year’s installment raised more than $58,000 to purchase specialized equipment. She added that other activities are specifically tailored to bring joy to the lives of hospitalized children.
“It’s really gratifying,” Munson said, “to see the looks on their faces when they see what we’ve created to give them a break from their hospitalization. They get to play with other kids, take a book and a toy home to keep, and just generally forget their worries.”
Individuals who want more information about the 20th annual Dishes for Wishes event or wish to register can go online at www.lluch.org/dishes or contact Jennifer Lozano by phone at 909-558-5867 or email at jllozano@llu.edu.