Guest bartenders to shake up CFF fundraising at Fish On March 22

There will be plenty of talent behind the bar at Fish On from 6 to 9 p.m., Thursday, March 22, for the 3rd Annual Guest Bartender Night to benefit Children & Families First.

"We are so grateful to SoDel Concepts an for hosting us again and helping us raise over $28,000 through this event in the past two years," said Laura Rimmer, development officer for Children & Families First. While the event has perfected the recipe of local celebrities, abundant hilarity and a splash of competition to raise funds for the agency, there are plenty of new additions keeping things fresh, including a DJ, two bars, and more bartenders than ever before.

This year's guest bartenders include: Jessica Bain, Ali DiSabatino, Carly Miller, Taryn Burris, Karen Sposato, Kathryn Pridmore, Todd Lawson, Cliff Lawson, Jennifer Kaufmann, Maria McGuinness, Venise Framaraki, Joann Glussich, Peter Briccotto, Wendy Beavers, Jessica Gordon, Julie Stevenson, Ron Krajewski, Matt Rice, Tara Lausch, Dave Repass, Danielle Seglum and Brian Seglum. Working in pairs for 20-minute shifts, the goal is to raise the most tips, with 100 percent donated directly to the charity.

"Only one team can go home with the coveted first-place trophy, so our amazing bartenders are already collecting tips in their virtual tip jars," said Rimmer. To donate to a team's virtual tip jar, go to ww.cffde.org/guest-bartender-nite. Because Children & Families First is a registered 501c3 nonprofit, all online tips come with a tax-deductible receipt.

"For the past two years, this event has been vital to supporting the agency's areas of greatest need," said Jess Bain, Children & Families First board member and Sussex events chairwoman. "Giving children and their families access to programs and resources that create positive change in their lives also benefits our whole community." Children & Families First focuses on helping children facing adversity on their journey to adulthood, serving over 40,000 clients each year through programs like foster care for vulnerable children, home visiting nurses for pregnant mothers, parenting skills for struggling families, and counseling for teens and their families.

Regardless of who wins the trophy, the real winners are the children and families who will continue to have immediate access to Children & Families First's evidence-based programs and resources that nurture, educate, empower and strengthen them to reach their full potential. For more information on the event and on the agency, go to www.cffde.org.