The warehouse and yard of Specialty Produce are right alongside the railroad tracks in Middletown, but the passing trains and trolleys could barely be heard at Fruit of the Soul, a grassroots celebration of music, art, and cuisine. The excited chatter from hundreds of guests and great music indoors and outside transformed this cavernous commercial space into a bubbly party zone that brought at least 33 restaurants and cafes together under one roof to support four excellent kid-friendly causes in San Diego: A Reason to Survive (ARTS), Olivewood Gardens and Learning Center, Monarch School, and SEZIO.

Fruit of the Soul.

(For more event photos go to: CAUSE.)

^{Photo by Cause for Celebration}

Three art trucks, showcasing colorful prints and paintings by locals -- including aspiring young artists from ARTS -- were backed up to the loading dock, lending the festivities a cool industrial vibe.

Who Was There?: A Reason to Survive (ARTS) Founder and CEO Matt D’Arrigo and his wife, Hulya, joined Roger and Peggy Sue Harrington, of Specialty Produce, in graciously welcoming members of the stylishly-attired crowd, while Fruit of the Soul Founder Niamh Scott and Art Director Kelly Orange gracefully orchestrated every important detail of the evening’s festivities. The sold-out event attracted hundreds of guests, including Tia Quinn, Andy Erickson, Heley and Carmele Lutz , Tommey Gomes, Marie Hurley, Nora and Bob Hammond, Eli Schneider, Theresa DiVita, Tom Horner, Serina Robles, Kimberly Warren, and Robert Bixby, who opened their wallets – and most importantly their hearts -- to support Fruit of the Soul’s inspiring mission.

The Cause: The evening’s four beneficiaries are dedicated to instilling in children a love of learning and a passion for the arts that will inspire them throughout their lives:

The Monarch School works with the community and the San Diego County Office of Education to help our homeless youth, providing an accredited education to homeless and at-risk kids while caring for basic needs such as healthcare, food, clothing and personal hygiene.

A Reason To Survive (ARTS) is built on the foundation that the arts heal, inspire and empower. Artists, musicians and poets teach kids techniques and concepts so they can explore their creativity, express themselves and realize their dreams.

Olivewood Gardens & Learning Center is creating an urban garden in the heart of National City. The organization envisions giving local children opportunities to explore history, science, art, literature, math, and nutrition through hands-on gardening experiences.

SEZIO provides resources, exposure and community support to emerging artists and musicians through a variety of new media, events, retail and community programs.

The Creative: Niamh Scott and Kelly Orange put on a great party! Chefs, from an eclectic line up of fine restaurants, including Searsucker, Kensington Grill, Waters Fine Catering, Cafe Chloe, The Cosmopolitan, and Harney Sushi satisfied hungry party guests with samples of their flavorful culinary inspirations. As Captain Dennis Connor, of Stars and Stripes Catering, deployed a team of charismatic kids to distribute samples of his famous chili, culinary teams from Kitchen 1540, Alchemy, Cowboy Star, JSix, Jakes Del Mar, Blind Lady Ale House, Chefs Celebration Foundation, Challenge Dairy, Lucha Libre,and MIHO Gastrotruck vied for the taste buds of local foodies, who happily grazed their way through the festival’s 30-plus culinary stations. Musical stages indoors and outside allowed for a rotating set of bands, including Bushwalla, Mark Boyce (G Love and Special Sauce) Jam Session, Miss Erika Davies, and The Monarch School Steel Drum Band!

The Good-Hearted: Major sponsors, including Scion, Viejas Entertainment & Production, The Tractor Room, and Specialty Produce, infused the celebration with a spirit of generosity and fun. Special thanks to Julie Darling, David Chenelle and the Chefs de Cuisine Association of San Diego; Bob, Richard, and Roger Harrington of Specialty Produce, Kim Moreira, Andrea Ryan, Sarah Bilyeu, Johnny Rivera, David Abella, Carly Franca, and scores of volunteers who brought the event to life through their vision, collaboration and creativity.

Get Involved: Fruit of the Soul partners with community organizations working to sustain the education and experience of art, music and nutrition in the lives of children and young adults. There is a role for everyone to play in this extraordinary organization, whose founders live by the motto: Be Inspired … Give Back & Dance it Out. To learn how you can get involved, please contact volunteer@fruitofthesoul.org.

(For more event photos go to: CAUSE.)