The Rotary Club of Ponte Vedra Beach Sunset held its third annual “Comedy for a Cause” event Saturday at the University of North Florida’s Robinson Theater.
Before the laughs began, guests and fellow Rotarians gathered on the outside deck of the theater for hors d'oeuvres and drinks while they had the opportunities to socialize and participate in a raffle and silent auction. The event’s key beneficiary was Peace of Heart Community, an assisted living residence and garden in Ponte Vedra for young adults living with autism. Co-founders Amy and Howard Groshell attended the event and brought along samples of their clothing and accessory line that features artwork from their daughter, Gentry Groshell, who is a Peace of Heart resident.
“This is so wonderful,” Amy Groshell said. “We’re so blessed, and this also gives us a chance to focus more on our residence.”
Howard Groshell hopes that more assisted living communities such as Peace of Heart will open to help other families, not just in Ponte Vedra, but in the country.
“We hope that this inspires other families to start their own community,” he said.
Passing the Peace of Heart table along the deck, guests at the event wandered in the theater lobby for the silent auction and raffle and lingered by the hors d'oeuvres served by Sawgrass Events, which operates under the umbrella of Hilton Garden Inn Jacksonville/Ponte Vedra.
Hilton Garden Inn sales manager and Rotarian Carol Maurer not only helped with the flavorful catering, but was one of the first members of the Rotary Club to coordinate “Comedy for a Cause” alongside fellow Rotarian and friend, Janeene Hart.
“It’s been a whirlwind to get here, but we made it,” Maurer said. “This is awesome. The theater, the venue is fabulous. I’m glad everyone could come out.”
Maurer also mentioned that this was comedian Danny Johnson’s fourth time hosting the “Comedy for a Cause” event.
“It’s a very fun event for a great cause,” Johnson said.
This year, Johnson brought along three friends to accompany him to bring the laughs, Bobby Parker, Marcus Crespo and Jenn Weeks.
“There’s a lot of great talent in the Jacksonville and Ponte Vedra area that does clean comedy,” Johnson said. “So, I asked if I can put on a ‘Danny Johnson and Friends’ show for more variety and she (Janeene Hart) loved it.”
Weeks has been doing comedy for about seven years and loves it.
“This is awesome,” Weeks said. “Danny invited me out for the first time here. I was nervous, but excited.”
This was also Crespo’s first night at “Comedy for a Cause.”
“I had a great time,” he said, admitting that he not only enjoys making others laugh, but furthering his passion in comedy.
By the end of the evening, guests applauded all the comedians and their wit. Whether it was the wine served outside on the deck or the laughs made in the theater, “Comedy for a Cause” set out to be an entertaining event to help a charitable organization and it succeeded in both.
