Toast to Hudson returns Feb. 24 to benefit youth programming

The Toast to Hudson – Hudson Community First’s signature fundraiser – returns Friday, Feb. 24, after a two-year COVID hiatus.

“Hudson Community First is very excited to bring back the Toast to Hudson,” said co-Executive Director Jennifer Fisher. “We are looking forward to seeing everyone at our premier fundraising event to benefit programming in support of mental wellness, leadership opportunities and drug and alcohol prevention initiatives for all Hudson youth.”

Community members are invited to spend the evening with neighbors and friends enjoying hors d-oeuvres, Italian cuisine, desserts and complimentary wine and craft beer selection. A silent auction will include an array of unique goods and entertainment opportunities, including a Hilton Head getaway, Cleveland sports tickets, a Lake Erie fishing trip, whiskey and beer tastings and more. 

Tickets for the Toast to Hudson, which begins at 6:30 p.m., start at $125 per person and can be purchased at toast2023.givesmart.com. It will be held at Lake Forest County Club, 100 Lake Forest Dr.  

For almost 20 years, Fisher explained, Hudson Community First has promoted positive youth development by introducing young people to 40 developmental assets that help youth grow up to be healthy, caring and responsible adults. The organization’s youth board at Hudson High School is one great example of that and speaks directly to the assets of “youth programs” and “creative activities,” according to Fisher.   

The HHS Youth Board is headed by President Easton Rowell and Vice President Ethan Waye. HHS teachers Marc Zustin and Brittany Amiet are the club’s advisors. Rowell joined the youth board as a freshman because he wanted to find a cause to which he could contribute. He has overseen the club’s growth from about 60 members in the fall of 2019 to over 300 this year. Both Waye and Rowell believe this growth is attributed to the fact that the board is well respected at the school with a great reputation for welcoming new members. In addition, while some clubs have service-hour requirements to stay a member, Rowell said, “HCF is more about contributing what you can to the community. … This allows students to satisfy their intrinsic want to make an impact in the world without taking away from other aspects of their very busy lives.” 

Another club member Katie Babitsky helps to organize the Explorer Day initiative promoted by Superintendent Dana Addis, highlighting the asset of a “caring school climate.” For the first Explorer Day, the youth board acted as the “hype man” for the schools with a huge Chalk the Walk at all the schools the night before to get everyone excited about the upcoming day. For the subsequent Explorer Days, Babitsky said, “the goal would be to hopefully bring in some guest speakers, do a school-wide project and overall grow closer and more spirited as a district with each day.” 

The youth board also hosts career panels, sponsors and participates in various volunteer projects, and every February, sales carnations to benefit the women’s scholarships at the Orkeeswa School in Tanzania, among other activities. 

For more information on the youth board, Hudson Community First or the upcoming Toast to Hudson visit hudsoncommunityfirst.com. ∞