When exploring Fayetteville’s social scene, few people would consider looking to a nonprofit. Sometimes though, the most fun can come from the unlikeliest of sources. If you are looking for a night to remember, keep an eye out for The CARE Clinic’s Toast of the Town — Wine, Beer & Spirits Tasting. This event has much to offer guests, but the best part is that it is all for a good cause.

The CARE Clinic first broke ground on Robeson Street in 1993 after a needs assessment report across Eastern North Carolina highlighted a lack of accessible medical care for low-income individuals. Under the guidance of Sister Jean Rhodes from the Daughters of Charity, a Catholic religious community whose mission is to serve the poor, The CARE Clinic found its footing. Now, the clinic is federally qualified under the National and North Carolina Associations of Free and Charitable Clinics. Its mission is to provide free, quality healthcare to uninsured adults in Cumberland and bordering counties. It is an overwhelming task to undertake when considering the problem’s scope — over one million people without health insurance in North Carolina.

As an independent nonprofit clinic, it relies on donations and sponsorships to support daily operations as they care for thousands of patients annually. Three yearly fundraisers help reach financial goals, but they are also welcomed as opportunities to step beyond the clinic’s walls into the community.

Located close to downtown, The CARE Clinic links up with the Fayetteville social scene. The Toast of the Town started as a low-key event on the top floor of the Prince Charles Hotel. For those familiar with Fayetteville, you will recognize that the jump from this single room to the entire Cape Fear Botanical Garden expanse is quite sizable. Organizers are overjoyed by the continually growing popularity of this event.

If you missed the 2022 Toast of the Town, let me walk you through our night in the garden.

The Toast of the Town begins in the front entrance hall of the Botanical Garden. Guests filter through check-in and can be photographed in the “Step-and-Repeat” photo center sponsored by the UPS Store. They are then handed complimentary wine and beer glasses for tastings throughout the night. These glasses are available thanks to the contributions of some of the major supporters, including Cape Fear Valley Health System, the Waren Investment Group of Wells Fargo Advisors and Player McLean, LLP.

With glasses in hand, guests are guided into the Orangery room. This room houses reserved tables saved for sponsors to congregate with their teams, staff or clients for a night of social gatherings. Each table is elegantly decorated with greenery and flowers by Debbie Bender Designs.

Surrounding the perimeter of the room is a variety of silent auction baskets. Each basket contains items valued at over $200; local artists, businesses and organizations around Fayetteville donate these items. Some previous baskets included pre-season tickets to see the Carolina Panthers; an overnight stay at a winery from the Cape Fear Distillery; and massages, facials and pedicures for those looking to get pampered.

The silent auction runs online on a virtual platform throughout the night, so bidders can be alerted via text the second they are outbid. Those looking for that typical pen-to-paper bidding can head over to bid on trips across North America and Europe provided by the American Fundraising Foundation. Some of the winning trips in previous years included Iceland, Greece and Tuscany!

Once guests have taken a lap around the Orangery, they go outside to find the party. The border of the lawn hosts local beer, wine and spirits vendors from across North Carolina. Each vendor offers a variety of drinks to satiate every palette. Wine, in particular, is provided by Mutual Distributing company and delivers nearly 60 different options to taste and order for pick-up from one of their sellers. Beer and spirits come from vendors closer to home, including Mash House Brewing Company, Dirtbag Ales, Bright Light Brewing Company and Cape Fear Distillery.

Next to the drink tables stand heavy hors d'oeuvres and desserts served by Two Brothers Catering. Each meal item is unique and delicious, with the Two Brothers servers ensuring your plate is always full.
The night would not be complete without the opportunity to bust it down on the dance floor with friends. Five Star Entertainment pumps music through the speakers and sets up a photo booth in the corner to commemorate the night’s memories.

The CARE Clinic sends a massive “Thank You!” to all who make the event possible. They do what they can for neighbors in need and lean on the whole community to support them in their work. Events like this open doors to connect with the community with some fun for a cause!

The 2023 Toast of the Town is scheduled for May 4. Make plans now to attend. If you are interested in participating as a sponsor or attending as a guest, visit the event website at www.toastofthetownfay.com, follow on Facebook, @thecareclinicnc, or call 910-485-0555 for more information.

Editor's note: Tara Martin is the Development and Marketing Director of The CARE Clinic. This article appears in the April issue of Women's View Magazine.