Hartford Parties with a Purpose at Yelp Helps: Red & Black Ball!

On Thursday night, 250 yelpers set out to party with a purpose at the inaugural Yelp Helps Red & Black Ball, hosted at the spectacular Society Room of Hartford. Glammed up in swanky red and black attire, guests ate, sipped, and mingled with 25 area non-profits looking to educate the community on ways to give back through philanthropy and volunteerism. By the end of the night, generous door donations raised more than $1,200 for Hands On Hartford, our partnering nonprofit!

Take a look at the event video here!

For Dan R: “The wide variety of organizations was a testament to the amazing number of volunteer opportunities where people can make a difference. All it takes is your time.” Participating nonprofits included: After the Storm Inc., Charter Oak Cultural Center, The Community Farm of Simsbury, Connecticut Audubon Society, CT Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership, Connecticut Humane Society, CT Association of Foster and Adoptive Parents, Inc.,
Foodshare, Habitat For Humanity, Hands On Hartford, Hartford Gay and Lesbian Health Collective, Hole in the Wall Theater, Interval House, Junior League of Hartford, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, MACC Charities, New Britain Museum of American Art, Nutmeg Big Brothers Big Sisters, Real Art Ways, Sadie Mae Foundation, South Windsor Jaycees, Stonewall Speakers, The Children's Museum, The Connecticut Forum, and YWCA Hartford Region.

Spotlighting the venue’s gorgeous décor, the distinctively glamorous ambiance was provided by PowerStation Events. The Zachenski Brothers started the party with their signature electronic soundscapes accompanied by live guitar and cello, while DJ No Go Go pumped up the energy as attendees noshed, imbibed, chatted with nonprofits and learned how to get involved. For Sara L, nothing beats a night of “Fantastic lighting, awesome food, and a slew of great organizations working hard to affect positive change and educate the community.”

All this learning makes for some hungry Yelpers. Luckily, some of the area's most buzzed about caterers and restaurants were on board with samples of signature dishes. According to Jason M, “Big marks for Jordan Caterers” who “featured short-rib filled cornbread” canapés with chipotle barbecue sauce, along with a gorgeous spread of spicy tomato gazpacho shooters, tarragon chicken salad cups, and a decadent butterscotch pumpkin budino with pumpkin seed brittle.

Joshua L swooned over DISH Bar and Grill’s citrus cured “salmon over pear salad that was absolutely succulent and well-paired.” Kristina L “finally got to meet her idols at NoRa Cupcake” and indulge in the tower of raspberry-lemonade and Irish Car Bomb confections, while The Society Room’s culinary team beckoned with a taco station accompanied by chocolate mint mojitos. Hors d'oeuvres were paired with local limoncello and Italian libations from Peel Liquors and craft beer from Olde Burnside Brewing, along with samples from Lulu B Wines and Stone Brewing Company.

The Union Productions documented the evening as Yelperazzi from Nick Caito Photo snapped candids and Avon MotoPhoto added pizzazz with a photobooth. After “being awed by the beauty" of the Society Room, Amber O was “greeted by Motophoto and welcomed to take some fun "prop filled" photos." What's even better, "everyone got to take home a set of four photos as a keepsake.” At the end of the evening, two lucky raffle winners took home gift cards from Polytechnic ON20 and Hartford Restaurant Group!

Thank you to all those who participated, donated, and made this a truly spectacular event! Special gratitude goes to The Society Room for hosting Yelp Helps!
Want to get schooled on ways to volunteer in your neighborhood? Check out the event reviews – and write your own if you attended. Don't forget to peep the pics by Nick Caito Photo, and stay tuned for our event video from The Union Productions!

Long live do-gooders!

Emily C

Yelp Hartford Community Mananger