Berlin business after hours nets $1,240; up next are DIY and yoga fundraisers

Mark Vastine, left, Andrea Canon and Olive Jones Mawyer of Habitat for Humanity Worcester County pour drinks during a benefit for the nonprofit at the Maryland Wine Bar at Sisters in Berlin, last Thursday.

By Josh Davis, Associate Editor

(March 29, 2018) Habitat for Humanity of Worcester County Inc. raised more than $1,200 last Thursday at a Berlin Chamber of Commerce business after hours at the Maryland Wine Bar at Sisters.

The event included guest bartenders Andrea Bowland, Olive Jones Mawyer, Andrea Canon and Mark Vastine, from Habitat, and live music from Troy Mawyer and Adam Bilenki.

A Chinese auction featured items donated by J & M Meat Market, HOUSE by Salvaged, Bleached Butterfly, Heart of Gold Kids, Fathom, Rayne’s Reef Soda Fountain & Grill, Uncle Jon’s Soap, Island Creamery, Main Street Nails, Merry Maids, The Hobbit Restaurant, Atlantic Retreat, Coastal Coffee Roasting, Baked Desert Café, Steel N Glory, Patty Clendenen, Aromermade, Attics of My Life, Patty Jeans Boutique and Dee Gilbert.

Habitat for Humanity of Worcester County raise more than $1,200 during a well attended business after hours last Thursday at the Maryland Wine Bar at Sisters. The Berlin Chamber of Commerce co-hosted the event.

“We had an awesome turnout and we were able to raise $1,240,” said Canon, the resource development coordinator at Habitat for Humanity of Worcester County. “We are so grateful for the support from our community. We’ve decided to do a few smaller events this year and the guest bartender event was our first one.”

Upcoming fundraisers include a DIY Table Top Garden Fundraiser at Burley Café on Jefferson Street in Berlin, Friday, April 13 from 5-8 p.m.

Heather Layton of Gypsea Tide will provide supplies to create a picturesque tabletop garden filled with a variety of locally grown succulents, an array of different mosses and rocks, finished and a vintage figurine, all tucked inside a vintage vessel. Tickets are $40, 30 percent of which will be donated to Habitat.

A Glow & Flow Yoga event is scheduled for Thursday, May 17 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. on the lawn of HOUSE by Salvaged on Artisan’s Way in Berlin. This event includes a two-hour yoga and meditation session with Chrissy Ehrhart of Zenna Wellness Studios.

No yoga experience necessary. Tickets are $35 and include glow sticks and healthy refreshments. A portion of the ticket sales will be donated to Habitat.

Canon said the nonprofit also is preparing for the opening of the Restore thrift shop in Berlin and construction of a new single-family home.

“We have a lot of fundraising to do still to be able to complete all the projects we have planned for this year and next, but I feel with the success from last [Thursday’s] event, we’re off to a good start,” she said.

For more information about upcoming Habitat for Humanity of Worcester County events, visit www.habitatworcester.org/news-events/calendar.html.