The 10th annual "Spirit of Mount Vernon" fundraising reception and dinner, held last week at George Washington's historic Virginia home, featured two of the first president's favorite foods: cheese and ice cream. Blue Bell Creameries and several members of the National Cheese Institute donated delicious products for the event, helping to celebrate and preserve Mount Vernon, which is located across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C.
The gala dinner, hosted by the Distilled Spirits Council, drew more than 680 guests, including members of Congress, industry leaders and members of the media. IDFA was a co-sponsor of the event, along with the American Bankers Association and the National Restaurant Association.
The evening began with ample offerings of fine cheeses and tours of the mansion, followed by an elegant dinner with ice cream for dessert. The dinner and live auction raised $214,000 for the Mount Vernon Ladies Association, whose primary mission is to preserve the historic site. Since taking possession of the property in 1860, the association has worked to preserve and restore the historic structures and landscape to their eighteenth-century appearance.
IDFA thanks the following members for their generous donations:
- Agropur Cooperative
- Arthur Schuman, Inc.
- Blue Bell Creameries
- Davisco Foods International, Inc.
- Glanbia Foods Inc.
- Lactalis American Group
- Pacific Cheese Co., Inc.
- Saputo Cheese USA Inc.
- Sargento Foods Inc.
- Tillamook County Creamery Association
- Valio USA Finlandia Cheese Division
More information is available here.
Connie Tipton, IDFA president and CEO, (standing)
chats with Peter Cressy, president and CEO of the
Distilled Spirits Council (standing), along with IDFA
Secretary Jon Davis and Jan Nosewicz, wife of IDFA
Chairman Mike Nosewicz.
Guests enjoyed the many cheeses donated by
IDFA members.
The rainy night didn't dampen the spirits of the
guests or the fireworks over the Potomac River.
The historic home was open for tours.