Owners: Susan Talluto
& Lorie Marrella
We are so excited to tell you about a new partnership of three amazing companies that have been brought together by the New Castle County Chamber of Commerce…collaboration at its finest!  FruitFlowers™ of DE and Lamberti’s Cucina of Prices Corner are partnering with the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition (DBCC) to hold several unique events this year. “Our hope is to raise awareness of breast cancer and to raise funds to provide programs and resources for this life-saving fight” says FruitFlowers co-owner Lorie Marrella. “Everyone knows someone who has been impacted by breast cancer”, adds co-owner Susan Talluto. Rossana Carannante of Lamberti’s Cucina located in Prices Corner did not hesitate when asked to partner with FruitFlowers to host several of the events planned. FruitFlowers and DBCC first met at a New Castle County Chamber of Commerce event at the DuPont Country Club in 2009 with FruitFlowers selling pink chocolate-covered strawberries to benefit DBCC.   The relationship and partnership has continued to grow since then. “We are really excited about this partnership and about the unique events being planned”, says Priscilla Rakestraw of the DBCC.  All involved are also pleased to be members of the New Castle County Chamber of Commerce and are grateful for the support given small businesses and non-profit organizations.

“We are thrilled with the dedication and resources that the folks at FruitFlowers and Lamberti’s are giving to DBCC and our work to defeat breast cancer” adds Rakestraw.
The theme “Treasure the Chest” was created and was a hit with Lorie, Susan & Rossana as well as the DBCC.  “Everything would be centered around the theme”, says Rakestraw.
The first event, The Treasure Chest Yard Sale was held on April 17th & 18th this past spring at FruitFlowers, 1900 Newport Gap Pike. “We cannot tell you how much we appreciate our friends, family and colleagues who donated gently used items for the yard sale” says Marrella. “The community turnout and support of all involved was very inspiring”, adds Carannante. The Treasure Chest Yard Sale generated more than $1600 to put toward the annual goal of ten thousand dollars.
The second event was the Pink Power Happy Hour,  held at Lamberti’s Cucina 1300 Centerville Road, on  Thursday, June 24th. Mixing, mingling, dancing and donating took place to raise more than $350 in just a couple hours. DJ Z kept the enthusiasm going all night with a fabulous mix of music, Lamberti’s provided awesome appetizers & h’orderves and served specialty drinks such as the Hope Bellini and Pink Dreams Martini. Who knew you could have so much fun raising money? The group is hoping to have Pink Power Happy

Hours throughout the year and hope to see old friends and new come to sip and support.

A wine dinner is in the process of being planned and will be held at Lamberti’s Cucina in August.  The group is sure it will be just as big a hit as the yard sale and happy hour.

The premier event, Treasure the Chest Party & Silent Auction, will be held on Thursday, September 16th, 2010 from 5:30PM to 8:30PM, also at Lamberti’s Cucina Prices Corner. “We will be sending out over a thousand invitations and expect to sell a maximum of 350 tickets” says Marrella excitedly.  The cost is $20 in advance and $25 at the door.  There will be a special “signature” drink and wonderful food and entertainment will cap the evening! “We have been planning this event since February and it will be here before we know it”, Treasure the Chest chairperson, Crystal Potter adds.

In addition to all of the above efforts, FruitFlowers offers pink chocolate covered strawberries at many of their events as a thank you for your donation. “Please stop by our table if you see us at an event and enjoy the sweetness while giving berry generously”, says Monya Willey, FruitFlowers Marketing Director. FruitFlowers also has a $5 & $5 deal for customers who mention PINKDBCC. FruitFlowers will give the customer, $5 off an arrangement of $50 or more as well as send an additional $5 to the DBCC.  Keep it in mind when placing an order in the future, you will be gifting to the DBCC on top of the gift you are ordering!

If you would like to help support FruitFlowers and Lamberti’s
Cucina in their efforts, please visit www.TreasuretheChest.org.

For all the juicy details about FruitFlowers™
call 302-636-0300 or visit www.fruitflowers.com