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Deep River Community Fund Invites One and All

DEEP RIVER - Finding a theme for a fundraising event is no easy task. There are wine tastings and Tastes of the Valley. There are chili cook-offs and chicken barbeques. There are just desserts and death by chocolate. The Community Health Committee (CHC), hoping to raise money for the recently established Deep River Community Fund, was stymied for a while.

Then CHC Chair Russell Marth said, "Tacos" and everybody smiled.

Established more than a year ago when the Deep River Visiting Nurses closed its doors, the CHC became the group that oversees the town's contract with the Visiting Nurses of the Lower Valley (VNLV) and sits on the VNLV board. It also allocates the funds that remained in the Deep River nurses' budget for community projects. To do this, it established the Deep River Community Fund.

"We want people to get to know us and the work we do. We were looking for a way to introduce ourselves to the community," Marth said.

The committee was also searching for a way to raise money for the community fund and to raise awareness of the fund.

"We are all new to this, and it's harder than you think," Marth said.

The committee did not want to infringe on fundraising themes of other non-profits, nor did it want to compete with restaurants in town.

"Finally, one night at a meeting months ago, I suggested tacos and everybody immediately agreed," Marth recalled (this came well before the now-infamous taco comment from East Haven's mayor).

On Sunday, March 25, Marth and his nephew John will be in the kitchen at the Carriage House, combining their considerable cooking skills to turn out beef and chicken tacos.

"John has extensive chef experience, mostly in Rhode Island and on the Cape," and he's bringing the chicken recipe, Marth said. "I was an assistant chef at Restaurant du Village in the 1980s. I'm making beef tacos."

Marth added, "We look forward to teaming up for the first time. We both love to cook and do so on a regular basis. Despite being an architect now, John still keeps his food chops up."

There will be plenty of side dishes-beans, rice, brownies-and condiments to allow attendees to be as creative as they wish to be.

"We want people to have a lot of fun. We also want to introduce ourselves and the community fund. For instance, last year and this year, the Community Health Committee provided funds to FISH, a volunteer group that provides people with transportation to a doctor's appointment. That's our healthcare role. Through the community fund, we hope to help others who may need other services," Marth explained.

Tickets are available in advance at Celebrations, Liberty Bank, the Town Hall, and DaVinci Pizza. Tickets will also be available at the door.