Sandi Russell (left) and Barbara Hilton make up the musical duo Espresso Jazz, performing for HOW’s fundraiser Nov. 16.

Provincetown Banner November 8, 2007 

Community party to assist women in need

By Melora B. North
Banner Staff

Chef Tim McNulty from the Lobster Pot is cooking up some fine fare for the fifth annual Evening for HOW, taking place Nov. 16 at the Provincetown restaurant.

Helping Our Women is a non-profit organization whose goal is to offer financial and emotional assistance to women in need on the Outer Cape.

“Most of the money we earn goes directly to client services,” says Irene Rabinowitz, HOW’s executive director. “We have support groups and financial assistance programs for low-income women struggling with illness. We help with oil and utility payments, doctor’s bills, ambulance services, mental health and complementary therapy.” And with more than 180 clients from Eastham to Provincetown it is fundraisers such as this one that help make the mission possible.

Working out of an office donated by Barbara and Donald Edwards, owners of the Governor Bradford in Provincetown, the organization is supplemented by funds from the Cape & Islands United Way, various grants, money from the Hiebert Charitable Foundation and funds from the Swim for Life. There are just two salaried employees and an army of volunteers.

“We have a great team of volunteers,” says Rabinowitz. “About 100 with a core of 10 to 15 who do transportation.”

Just last month the organization aided 104 clients with financial assistance. “Some have kids, some live alone. The women range in age from their 20s to their 90s,” says Rabinowitz. “Our role is to help them, to make their lives more manageable. We can’t take away illness but we can ease some of the burden.” And this they do by offering advanced programs such as an art therapy workshop that was held recently. “We try to keep pace with what’s out there, and we try to make sure our programs are a safety net for these women,” says Rabinowitz. But it all takes money.

The upcoming fundraiser promises to be an enjoyable event in which community can mix and mingle and get a bit spoiled for an evening. “It’s been sold out every year — we can only have 100 people,” says Rabinowitz. “We get a great cross-section of community. Our supporters include health care workers, bankers, our volunteers.” Even the entertainment is volunteer for this event.

Coming from western Massachusetts will be the duo of Espresso Jazz, featuring vocalist Sandi Russell on guitar performing with acoustic bass player Barbara Hilton. An eclectic combo, they play jazz and a selection of standards from the Great American Songbook.

The kitchen will be hopping when Chef McNulty prepares a special menu featuring such treats as a trio of free-range chicken — cordon bleu, Francaise and confit — a rack of lamb with prosciutto crust, mile-high lasagna, roasted halibut with little necks and linguica, and roast prime rib of veal. Soup and salad precede the main course, which will be followed by sinful desserts prepared by Pastry Chef Ray. Fine wines, chosen specifically for the occasion, will be served with each course.

Local jeweler Cynthia Lindgren has donated a $2,000 pendant she designed to be offered in a raffle. Tickets are $25 per chance and will be available for sale at the dinner. A sunburst pattern set in 14K gold, the bauble has a flush-mounted diamond in the center surrounded by peridots and tanzanite stones.
Admission to this affair is $150. To garner a ticket and further details, call (508) 487-4357. Seating is limited and menu choices must be turned in to the chef ASAP, so call today.