Barbara Fiedor organized the Taste of Bethesda event that raised $19,000 toward a specially equipped Mini bus for children at the Mary Alice Fortin Family Development Center.

A food and wine sampling event that provided savory sensations for 200 guests at Bethesda-by-the-Sea could help provide savored experiences for children by The Lake.

The Episcopal Church Women’s group at Bethesda-by-the Sea in Palm Beach organized the inaugural Taste of Bethesda to help raise money for a specially equipped Mini Bus to help transport the special needs children at the Mary Alice Fortin Family Development Center in South Bay.

The sold-out event entertained elegantly dressed guests at the church who paid $100 per ticket to enjoy fine wine, gourmet delicacies and a live jazz saxophonist while helping to raise $19,000 toward the $42,000 bus.

Barbara Fiedor, the event chairwoman, said her ECW group wanted to do something complimentary to the charitable work another church group, Faith In Action, was doing in the Glades. A member of that organization learned of the many needs of the Fortin Center and all of the work it is doing for the area’s disabled children.

Once the ECW members decided they wanted to help, Fiedor contacted NOAH to find out what type of assistance the organization needed. That’s when she learned of the center’s need for a bus to transport children on field trips.

The idea for the Taste of Bethesda event came from ECW president, Jodie Payne, who attended similar events in Cape Cod, Fiedor said. The next step was to get restaurants to agree to participate by offering appetizers, entrees, desserts and wine. The idea quickly generated support on the island.

"As soon as the word got out and our committee members started calling restaurants, it was an absolute 'Yes!' " Fiedor said. "Everyone was very quick to jump on board." Tickets sales also went very fast. The event also included raffle items with gift certificates to participating restaurants that ranged in value from $100 to $150. All of the net proceeds were donated to the Fortin Center. The Mary Alice Fortin Childcare Foundation, which actually funds the center, is expected to pay the balance for the bus.

Participating restaurants that helped the cause were Amici, AnnZ Gourmet Catering, Bice, Café Boulud, Capri Blue, C’est Si Bon, Cucina dell arte, Coco Palm Beach, Echo, Hampton’s Liquors, Island Palm, Market Salamander, Michael McCarty’s, Palm Beach Grill, Opici Distributing, Sprinkles, Sushi Jo, Leopard Lounge at The Chesterfield, the Sailfish Club and Testa’s.

The help from the restaurants, the 200 guests and the efforts of the ECW will help transport children who live in communities around Lake Okeechobee to various activities helping to give them a taste of life around The Glades and coastal communities.