VALERIE’S HOUSE
Cause c o c k t a i l s
Welcome
V A L E R I E
’
S H O U S E
Valerie's House is a special place where children who have experienced the loss of someone they love can find comfort and healing. Valerie's House was created as a safe, welcoming space where kids and their families can come together, share their feelings, and understand that they are not alone in their grief journey.
Valerie’s House Pensacola was founded by Crista Brandt, who knows firsthand how difficult it is to grieve as a child. The house offers a gentle, supportive environment for children aged 5 to 18 who are grieving the death of a parent, sibling, or other close family member. Here, children are given the tools they need to express their emotions and make sense of their loss, while also connecting with others who are facing similar struggles.
The goal of Valerie's House is simple but powerful: to help families heal, together. It’s a place where, even in the face of sadness, hope can begin to grow again. Thank you for supporting Valerie’s House and making sure that no child will grieve alone.
FACT SHEET
didyouknow?
An estimated children in Escambia and Santa Rosa County are predicted to lose a parent or sibling before the age of 18. 12,500
UNSUPPORTED, BEREAVED CHILDREN EXPERIENCE...
Lower self esteem, reduced resilience, lower grades/school failure, suicide attempts, drug abuse/addiction, and are at 5x higher risk of depression and 2x more likely to commit violent crime.
OUR PROGRAMS OFFER...
Peer-to-peer group support nights, individual counseling, school and community center support, wrap around services, educational programs, remembrance nights, a summer program, community building and bonding, family volunteer opportunities, family fun events, seasonal celebrations, and more.
ourmission
Is to help children and their families work through the loss of a loved one together and go on to live fulfilling lives.
180% GROWTH
Since opening our doors in April 2021.
567 GRIEVERS
That we’ve supported, including children and their caregivers.
50%
OF FAMILIES
That come to Valerie’s House are experiencing poverty.
4 STAFF
That run Valerie’s House Pensacola, including 2 full-time and 2 part-time.
135 VOLUNTEERS
That actively support our mission and our families.
SpecialTh BAR SPONSO
CINDI & DAVID BEAR
AVIAN NOBLE
SpecialTh
FRIENDS O
VALERIE’S HO
BELLE BEAR
ELISA & MARK WHIBBS
ELIZABETH MCGEE
RANDY & PEGGY BELL
MARGIE & ALAN MOORE
SpecialTh
IN-KIND SUPPO
LAUREN GUND
BETTY WEBER CAKES
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COCKTAIL COMPETITION
All additional funds raised by the cocktail teams will go to Valerie’s House Pensacola.
AbouttheTEAMS
BOGEY’S + JACO’S
Grant Hofberger is an Army veteran and the co-founder and owner of Bogey's Golf Suites & Sports Bar. A proud Pensacola native, Grant is deeply committed to his community, actively participating in initiatives such as the Ocean Strike Team, mentoring small business owners, and supporting various other local charities. Joining him is Scott Smith and Lenin Karl. Scott Smith has been a chef of professional cooking for 28 years around the southeastern United States. He has developed a passion for Italian, southern, and coastal flavors. Scott is now focused on competition and charitable events since retiring from chef life in 2018. Lenin Karl proudly representing El Salvador in the culinary scene in Pensacola. Lenin started his journey in Washington DC with a summer program, Hearth Keepers, that sparked his love for cooking. After honing his skills in renowned establishments, Lenin is now creating flavorful experiences downtown at Jaco’s Bayfront Bar and Grill
C H E F T O N Y W I L L I A M S O N
You may know Tony Williamson from The Global Grill, where he has been a notably recognized server for over 19 years and often ranks as a top server with InWeekly’s Best of the Coast His infectious energy and quick wit have made him a beloved fixture there, but his flare for food goes well beyond the front of the house as he also frequently influences some of Global’s favorite dishes. With a deep-rooted family tradition in the culinary world, Tony hails from a family of food enthusiasts who own and operate Williamson Brother’s Bar-B-Q in Atlanta, known for its Southern-style dishes, meats, and regionaldistributed BBQ sauces. He has a passion for creating unique dishes with fresh ingredients from the garden, locally caught seafood and quality meats, while also experimenting with fermentation to create his own spicy and savory sauces Tony enjoys participating in local culinary competitions to support charities in the community, and won “Fan Favorite” at the 2024 Men Who Cook fundraiser for the Pace Center for Girls.
AbouttheTEAMS
L A D O L C E R I N A
Years ago, Rina Thoma was a food-obsessed, cookbook-hoarding Army wife working in corporate sales. During a move, she seized the chance to pursue her dream of attending culinary school. At Tante Marie’s in San Francisco, she mastered French cuisine by day and explored the city’s food scene by night. After graduation, Rina and her husband Dave moved to Germany, traveling through Europe for four years, meeting chefs, winemakers, and farmers In Paris, at Le Cordon Bleu, she discovered her passion for fresh, seasonal market cuisine. This inspired her farm-to-table cookbook, Bushels & Feasts, which became a best-seller on Amazon. Rina has studied cooking worldwide, from Italy to Vietnam, and now works as a private chef and instructor. She’s also a community partner with the Rally Foundation, using food to bring people together for good causes.
M O O N L I G H T C A F E + C O N C H I T A S
Moonlight Cafe is a family-owned mobile cafe and bar service founded by former educator Ivy Salada, dedicated to bringing exceptional drinks and breakfast options to the community With a focus on supporting local causes, Ivy blends passion for service, quality drinks, and community impact, all while providing a warm, welcoming experience. Joining her, Jennifer Lowery is a military spouse and owner of Conchitas Personal Chef and Catering LLC. Jennifer is a multi award winning chef and caterer, offering international-fusion cuisine with specialty in open fire cooking and catering boutique creations like sushi, charcuterie, hors d’evoures, carving stations, and more. She also gives back to the community through her program, Culinary ART for Change, dedicated to bringing smiles through food art and food science.
TEAMSAboutthe
T A P T H E C O A S T + T H E Z I M M E R N T E A M
Dannon Byrd, a Santa Rosa County native, founded Tap the Coast five years ago as the Gulf Coast’s first mobile bar service. Today, they are home to the largest fleet of mobile bars in the region. She and her team provide award-winning bar and beverage experiences, specializing in craft cocktails, tailored mocktails, and interactive cocktail classes that make any event unforgettable. Joining her is Hylton Davis, a commercial and residential Realtor by day with The Zimmern Team at Levin Rinke Realty and a personal chef in his "free time". Previous to joining the real estate world, he gained six years of fine dining experience at The Global Grill, and is now in his 3rd year of personal catering. His most recent accomplishments include winning "Best Appetizer" at the 2024 Men Who Cook fundraiser for the Pace Center for Girls and leading The Zimmern Team to victory at the Arc Gateway's Crab Cake Cookoff Hylton is always looking for new ways to share his skillset with the community and ensure his clients are taken care of, even if that means showing up to cook a killer meal in their new home or business.
U N I O N P U B L I C H O U S E
Nate Simmons has served as the Front of the House Manager at Union Public House for many years. Located in downtown Pensacola, UPH is known for its crafty, Southern cuisine, relaxed atmosphere and high-quality food and drink menu UPH marks a return to the culinary roots of Founder & Partner Blake Rushing, blending Southern pub dishes with a modern twist UPH opened its new location in the East Garden District in August 2023, solidifying its status as Pensacola’s premier culinary destination.
CaringTree CARDINAL
VENTURE INSIDE TO HANG AN ORNAMENT ON THE CARDINAL CARING TREE AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF GRIEVING CHILDREN.
HOW IT WORKS
Choose an ornament. Each ornament represents a different sponsorship level.
Make your donation by scanning the QR code and entering a payment. For alternative forms of payment, see a Valerie’s House volunteer.
Fill out your information on the ornament tag. Write your name or business and make it in memory of someone you love.
Hang it on the Cardinal Caring Tree to share with VH families and visitors throughout the holidays.
ThePowerof YOUR GIFT
Every donation goes directly to powering Valerie’s House programs, ensuring that children receive the guidance to navigate grief, making a meaningful difference in the lives of those coping with the challenges of loss.
DONOR PROGRAMS
$250 $500
Provides a wholesome dinner for one of ten monthly group nights.
Gives us the supplies needed for one of ten monthly group night activities.
$900 Provides comprehensive grief support for one child for six months.
$1,800
Provides comprehensive grief support for one child for an entire year.
ThePowerof YOUR GIFT
HERO PROGRAMS
$2,500
FOOD FOR THE SOUL
Provides dinner for all ten of our monthly group nights to ensure children and families can gather for a nourishing, family-style meal.
$5,000
CONNECTIONS CATALYST
Funds activities, including materials and trained facilitators, for our ten monthly group nights, both on- and off-site, serving 100+ people weekly.
$10,000
EMPOWER HEALING
Covers comprehensive grief service for a month, including all group activities and meals at our ten group nights, monthly family care calls, and more.
$25,000
COMMUNITY BUILDER
Covers Valerie’s House’s entire spectrum of core programs for one quarter, including group night activities, meals, and off-site groups.
ThePowerof YOUR GIFT
$50,000 ANGEL PROG
As one of five Angel Program Sponsors, your gift will prov comprehensive grief services for children and families in a specif Your support ensures healing and guidance grieving children need to move forward with hope, truly transforming their future and leaving a lasting impact on their lives.
YOUR SPONSORSHIP PROVIDES:
5,600+ total hours of care; 500+ hours of personalized family resource services; recruitment and training for 20 volunteers dedicated to supporting the group; 10 months of bi-monthly group nights offering peer support, therapeutic activities, and grief resources; and 4 family events, including holiday parties and school-year celebrations.
HONORING YOUR GIFT:
Naming Rights - special opportunity to name a group in honor of a loved one ’ s legacy, a cherished family nickname, or even your business.
Personalized Care Packages - children attending their first group session will receive a care package in a custom tote featuring the group ’ s name and personal message.
Impact Updates - receive quarterly videos and photos showcasing the difference your support is making in the lives of these children and families.
Exclusive Event Invitations - attend family events to witness firsthand the profound impact of your generosity on our grieving families.
OWN WORDS Intheir
"I was sad and lonely before going to Valerie's House. I didn't want to talk to my mom because I didn't want to make her sad. Now, I have made friends who have lost loved ones like me. I can talk to them, and I don't feel as lonely or sad. I love going to Valerie's House because I get to talk about my grief with other people who know how I feel."
- Hannah, 10 yrs old (grieving the death of her dad)
"Before coming to Valerie's House, I felt very alone. I only had two friends who had lost their husbands and one had recently moved. Valerie's House has helped me to process my grief and make friends who understand what I am going through.
- Alana, caregiver (helping her children grieve the death of their dad)
“I like the fact that I can know and feel like I’m not alone being the only kid my age that has had a big loss like I have. And we have super fun activities that help with trauma processing and it doesn’t even feel like that’s what we are doing because we do it win a fun way”
- Emma, 13 yrs old (grieving the death of her mom)
STORI Ambassador
BRUCE & E
When Emma’s mom los family devastated. Emm caregiver while her fath Suddenly, Emma and Bruce were not only grieving the loss of a beloved wife and mother, but also navigating life with just the two of them. For Emma, it was especially hard to talk about her mom ’ s death with her dad, and she didn’t know any other children who had experienced the loss of a parent After joining Valerie’s House, Emma found a community of friends who understood her pain other children who had also lost a parent. She learned she wasn’t alone in her grief. Today, Emma and Bruce share their story to help new families at Valerie’s House, offering support and guidance. Their journey of healing has made them invaluable members of the Valerie’s House community.
ALANA & HANNAH
After losing her husband in a tragic motorcycle accident, Alana struggled to help her daughter, Hannah, cope with the loss of her dad while dealing with her own grief She felt lost and isolated. When Alana found the courage to attend Valerie’s House, she was able to process her grief and connect with others who understood her pain. Hannah, too, felt alone and struggled to talk to her mom, not wanting to add to her sadness. At Valerie’s House, Hannah made friends who had experienced similar losses. Now, both Alana and Hannah are important sources of support for new families, sharing their journey and offering comfort to those who are grieving.
STORI Ambassador
CHADBOR
Valerie’s House Pensac after Lina lost her son, C beloved children: Anna
Struggling with the deep pain of losing their father, the children returned to school only to face the challenge of being surrounded by peers who didn’t know how to approach them. Feeling both bereaved and isolated, they found themselves sad and alone despite being among classmates Attending Valerie’s House became a turning point for the children, providing them with a safe space to grieve at their own pace and openly express their feelings about their father’s passing. Lina has since channeled her grief into a source of hope, serving as one of Valerie’s House’s weekly group leaders, while her grandchildren continue to benefit from the supportive community.
DAWN & BRANDON
After losing both her husband and son in a tragic accident, Dawn was deeply concerned about her son, Brandon. While grieving herself, she struggled to help Brandon open up and feared he might turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms. That changed when they found Valerie’s House. There, they discovered that children process grief in many different ways, and Brandon was given a safe space to navigate his feelings at his own pace. Valerie’s House provided him with the tools to understand and manage his grief. Today, Brandon is a thriving teenager, and both he and Dawn dedicate their time to volunteering and supporting others at Valerie’s House.
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FALYNNE LEWING PRESENTS
MICHAEL JACKSON MICHAEL JACKSON
SATURDAY | 7:00 PM DOWNTOWN PENSACOLA 23 NOV.
PROCEEDS FROM THE EVENING WILL BENEFIT
VALERIE'S HOUSE OF PENSACOLA AND THE AUTISM COALITION OF NEVADA
Brace yourselves for an electrifying evening of entertainment. Presented by Falynne Lewing and her dynamic team of professional dancers, this tribute transports audiences into the world of the King of Pop himself, Michael Jackson!
