On August 9th we, Stu and The Kids had an amazing event called Stu and His Friends. It was a group of amazing people from the Los Angeles food and beverage world all coming together for 1 reason, to help the kids. We had over 100 people there, eating, drinking, biding on silent auction items, collecting raffle prizes and learning about the great kids that we work with here in Chiang Mai. Yes, I am back here and yes I know it has been a long period of time and should have written this sooner and you will understand why as you read on.

It was a ton of work to put this together and months of planning. On the day of the event we had deliveries made, table set up, electric wires connected and all the rest of it that goes along with setting up such a large event, our biggest ever. I want to thank everyone that was there that day, evening and the folks that stayed at the end to break down. Here you go……….Matty Bencivenga., LA Specialty, Wolfgang Puck Catering, Republique, Eric Greenspan, Red Bird, Warren’s Blackboard, Rick Fisher, Cooks County, Helm’s Bakery, Bodega Wine Bar, Susina Bakery, Savore Catering, Patina Catering, Playa Provisions, Solsticio Wines, Jason Winters, Josh and Bex Terry, Joanna Gillis, Christine West, Ben Shafrir, Matt Cohen, Lauren Nicole, Wolfgang Puck Bar and Grill, Golden Road Brewery, The Ensaymayda Project, Six Degrees Marketing and Branding, George, Mike Glick, Chefs to End Hunger, Erik Fisher, Martin Mancha, Sarah, Sara and Wade. I sure hope I am not forgetting anyone. Love you all so much and cannot thank you enough for all of your continued support.

We made a bunch of money that night for the kids and the best part of it is we got help to set Stu and The Kids up as a tax-exempt, non-profit charity, a real 501c3. The very kind Mike Glick from LA Specialty and Chefs to End Hunger has been paying the fees for everything we need to get set up. Since the event we have been working on all of that paperwork, budgets, by-laws, tax forms, etc., with the help of the board members and a few other angels, Deb, Joanna, Christine, Jenna, Mike, Rick, Bill (from Bracken’s Kitchen) and Lisa, thank you, thank you, thank you. This could not have happened without you all. Still more to do but we have a tax ID number and a letter of incorporation, now it is just the waiting game, 9-18months……..

I cannot wait until we have the official status, we are going to have an even bigger fundraiser/launch party. I will stay in Chiang Mai until then. Keep a look out here to see what else is coming, so excited. Peace, -Stu