A buffet overflowing with Boston cream pie, éclairs, brownies, chocolate donuts, candies, whoopee pies, fudge, hot cocoa.... No, it's not a vision of heaven.  It's the Chocolate Extravaganza that was recently held at West Parish Church in Andover. 
 
"The kids especially loved the chocolate fountain where they dipped pretzels, marshmallows, strawberries and banana slices," said Nancy McMillan, one of the coordinators of the event.

Besides the buffet of chocolate desserts and beverages that was available for sampling, the Chocolate Extravaganza featured a raffle of gift baskets and other items as well as a sale of take-home fudge.
 
There was no guilt in enjoying this delicious buffet of chocolate treats, because all proceeds benefited the West Parish Church youth group summer mission trip to the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. A group of high school youth and adults will be traveling to this impoverished area for a week this summer to build and repair homes for the Lakota Sioux Native Americans who live on the Reservation. The conditions on the Reservation are anything but sweet. In fact, they are akin to those in many third world countries.  Life expectancy on Pine Ridge is the lowest in the United States.
 
Because the parishioners donated many wonderful chocolate treats -- from tiramisu and home-made truffles to cappuccino brownies and mocha-filled cream puffs -- the Extravaganza was a low-cost event.  Even the raffle prizes -- which included hand knit baby blankets and framed photographs as well as lovely gift baskets (Italian basket, movie night basket, etc.) -- were donated. In addition to soliciting member donations, the youth canvassed the town merchants and received 25 gift certificates from various restaurants, salons and shops. Tickets were $10 at the door or $8 in advance. There was no charge for children under 4 years of age.

The church got a great deal of press and local TV coverage, which helped make the event a success.  The Extravaganza brought nearly $2,000 in profits.  Out of the 250 patrons, at least half had no connection to the church but saw the event advertisements. The members anticipate that the Chocolate Extravaganza will be an annual event to support youth outreach and mission projects at West Parish.
 
"We are hoping to make the world a "sweeter" place for those living at Pine Ridge and the Chocolate Festival will help us do that," explained Rev. Lucca.
 
How better to indulge your sweet tooth and at the same time help those in need? 
 
Rev. Marie J. Lucca can be contacted at the church office at 978-475-3528 or marie@westparishchurch.org.

A buffet overflowing with Boston cream pie, éclairs, brownies, chocolate donuts, candies, whoopee pies, fudge, hot cocoa.... No, it's not a vision of heaven.  It's the Chocolate Extravaganza that was recently held at West Parish Church in Andover. 
 
"The kids especially loved the chocolate fountain where they dipped pretzels, marshmallows, strawberries and banana slices," said Nancy McMillan, one of the coordinators of the event.

Besides the buffet of chocolate desserts and beverages that was available for sampling, the Chocolate Extravaganza featured a raffle of gift baskets and other items as well as a sale of take-home fudge.
 
There was no guilt in enjoying this delicious buffet of chocolate treats, because all proceeds benefited the West Parish Church youth group summer mission trip to the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. A group of high school youth and adults will be traveling to this impoverished area for a week this summer to build and repair homes for the Lakota Sioux Native Americans who live on the Reservation. The conditions on the Reservation are anything but sweet. In fact, they are akin to those in many third world countries.  Life expectancy on Pine Ridge is the lowest in the United States.
 
Because the parishioners donated many wonderful chocolate treats -- from tiramisu and home-made truffles to cappuccino brownies and mocha-filled cream puffs -- the Extravaganza was a low-cost event.  Even the raffle prizes -- which included hand knit baby blankets and framed photographs as well as lovely gift baskets (Italian basket, movie night basket, etc.) -- were donated. In addition to soliciting member donations, the youth canvassed the town merchants and received 25 gift certificates from various restaurants, salons and shops. Tickets were $10 at the door or $8 in advance. There was no charge for children under 4 years of age.

The church got a great deal of press and local TV coverage, which helped make the event a success.  The Extravaganza brought nearly $2,000 in profits.  Out of the 250 patrons, at least half had no connection to the church but saw the event advertisements. The members anticipate that the Chocolate Extravaganza will be an annual event to support youth outreach and mission projects at West Parish.
 
"We are hoping to make the world a "sweeter" place for those living at Pine Ridge and the Chocolate Festival will help us do that," explained Rev. Lucca.
 
How better to indulge your sweet tooth and at the same time help those in need? 
 
Rev. Marie J. Lucca can be contacted at the church office at 978-475-3528 or marie@westparishchurch.org.