Pino Gelato for Alaqua: First Event a Success!

A fantastic afternoon was spent on April 25, 2014 for the announcement of Pino Gelato support of Alaqua Animal Refuge. The fundraiser took place in Destin, FL at The Village of Baytowne Wharf Pino Gelato location.  The outdoor patio and deck seating was transformed into an Alaqua awareness site by their volunteers all set up for donations, purchases of t-shirts and gift certificate special incentives. The day was complete with Alaqua founder Laurie Hood and her sons ramping up attention to passers by of the event prior to a donation check presentation with Pino Gelato CEO Ramona Fantini (her own doggies in tow). Spotlighting the event was the Alaqua mascot, a three legged boxer, and a puppy with looks and charisma garnering much attention from potential sponsors or those looking to adopt.  

“Your Scoop of Happiness is their Scoop of Hope,” Pino Gelato gives back a portion of annual revenue to animal rescue organizations, acquiring an additional foundation each year.  Discovering Alaqua Animal Refuge and the opportunity to learn the magnitude of their operation has been deemed a sure match for Pino Gelato to advocate for support of their full mission.  The Pino Gelato Team and Board Members were present for the Alaqua event hosted in one of the newly acquired Destin, FL stores that allowed a platform for all to experience a gathering in the local community and truly engage the call to action from the partnership created by Alaqua and Pino Gelato.

Pino Gelato at Baytowne served scoops of gelato, and assorted pastries and sandwiches to the crowd.  A toast of prosecco during the presentation to acknowledge the launch of support to Alaqua was accompanied by words from Hood and Fantini. “Salute!”, followed by a round of applause shared by all.

Special accolades are due to the Alaqua event staff for dedicating their time to a cause that has the utmost respect from Team Pino Gelato and staff.  Thank you for the work and time spent to help arrange this successful event.  The goal is to have many more events to come in order to raise awareness and funds for Alaqua.

To find out more about The Alaqua Animal Refuge and the many ways to offer support, please visit https://www.alaquaanimalrefuge.org/

Stay up-to-date with future happenings at Pino Gelato Baytowne Wharf and other store locations to support Alaqua and all of the animal rescue organizations benefited by the Scoops of Happiness served daily.   

Check out photos from the Pino Gelato & Alaqua event below:

Spring Break 2014, Go!

Break out the sunscreen, bikinis and limes, it is time to gear up for a sea of neon- this is Spring Break 2014. After a rough Winter season for much of the US, travelers find it more reasonable than ever to justify a desired break from school, work, and shoveling the snow. Time to find the ideal place to relax and touch feet to the sand. The party stigma is forever linked to traditional spring break, but there are endless ways to enjoy the time off to actually explore a city and refine the experience.

Cuisinart Resort on Rendezvous Bay, Anguilla 

c/o cocktails&gelato

Often, Spring Break marks the first trip taken apart from family and is planned by students across universities in the country. Tens of thousands will travel during the Spring weeks to validate certain hollow expectations of college life.  While the beach, booze, and boats are all suitable categories to adhere to the practice of a legit Spring Break, there are recommendations to elevate the time spent on vacation above a blurred week of partying.  The message to student Spring breakers: no matter the destination selected find the actual sights of the city... and tour them.  Obvious as this may sound, too often the large group of friends will travel to and from without taking in all a place has to offer.  Try the local fare by way of the many websites used to filter places to dine categorized with such labels as ‘best cheap grub’, best ice-cream/gelato, and best for group dining. Plan properly to get a true taste of the city all while keeping to a budget.  Skip the daily hangover and encapsulate the well versed traveler within to discover all there is to the destination.

Alternative Spring Break trips are sponsored by nonprofit organizations and other charity or specialty groups to give students the option to spend the week volunteering for a cause with a magnitude of reward. To further explore this route and get involved read over this article about Missouri University in The Columbia Daily Tribune about the Mizzou Alternative Break trips (service trips) program and students arranging to benefit people through Habitat For Humanity, United Way and many other causes.  2014 it is more popular than ever that students are devoid of the standard expectations set by peers in order to give back.  

Time.com has created a list of the top ten popular places students are going for spring break this year, for reference to those that would like to fly with or steer clear of this crowd.  If traveling to a fancy beach town is not on the agenda this year, then Spring Break at home it is.  Easy to find local community charity programs to enable time spent to give back, explore the sites unseen that draw others to the closest large hometown location (day trip), and create atypical dining with awesome combo dessert drink recipes from Food52. Regardless of where or how to spend the break, let there be focus on enjoying family and friends, fantastic food and beverage, and giving back.  Relaxation and mini umbrellas to top drinks do not cost much: to the party people or not, spend time to revivify over the sundry Spring Break 2014.

Mini umbrellas

How are you spending your Spring Break this year?  If you are planning an alternative trip, we would especially like to hear about it!