Jacksonville, Florida Charity Gala for Ascension St. Vincent’s Foundation Raises $420,000, Its Strongest Fundraising Total in 10 Years
JACKSONVILLE, FL — Ascension St. Vincent’s Foundation says its signature event, Delicious Destinations, brought in $420,000 this year, the highest total the fundraiser has reached in a decade. The organization says the money will help support compassionate care across its North Florida health system.
The event brought together physicians, community partners, sponsors and other supporters for two culinary gatherings at Ponte Vedra Inn & Club. Proceeds benefit Ascension St. Vincent’s mission to provide quality care to patients regardless of their ability to pay.
Two culinary experiences anchored the day’s fundraising
The celebration opened with the Celebrity Chef By The Sea Luncheon, featuring Chef Chris Polidoro of Doro, a local restaurant favorite. That gathering set the tone for an evening built around food, fellowship and philanthropy.
The Main Event followed later with 11 chefs from across the Southeast presenting dishes for guests. Ascension St. Vincent’s Foundation said the format gave attendees two distinct chances to support the hospital system while sampling food prepared by a wide range of culinary talent.
The event was presented in partnership with Ponte Vedra Inn & Club and Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, reflecting the involvement of both a hospitality venue and a beverage distributor in the fundraising effort.
Foundation leaders say community generosity made the total possible
Caitlin Brunell, president of Ascension St. Vincent’s Foundation, said the $420,000 result reflects the community’s support for the organization’s mission. She said the response helps the system continue caring for the whole person and remain available when patients and communities need help most.
Her comments framed the evening as more than a social event. For the foundation, the fundraiser serves as a direct source of support for health care services that extend beyond a single hospital or clinic.
The strong showing also stood out because it marked the event’s best fundraising performance in 10 years, a benchmark the foundation described as especially meaningful.
Money raised will support hospitals, clinics and outreach programs
According to Ascension St. Vincent’s Foundation, proceeds from Delicious Destinations support work across four hospitals, specialty and primary care offices and community outreach programs throughout Northeast Florida. The funds are intended to help sustain the system’s broader service network, not just one event or one location.
The foundation says that includes care delivered through a mix of hospital services, doctor visits and community-based efforts. Its mission centers on making care available to people regardless of their ability to pay, a focus that helps explain why the fundraiser draws broad local support.
By connecting the event to day-to-day patient care, the foundation positioned the fundraiser as a practical contribution to the region’s health infrastructure.
A decade-best result comes ahead of the event’s 25th anniversary
This year’s total arrives as Delicious Destinations prepares for another milestone: its 25th anniversary in 2027. The foundation says dates for that celebration will be announced later.
The anniversary gives the event added significance for longtime supporters, especially after a year that delivered its strongest results in a decade. The combination of a record-level outcome and a major anniversary on the horizon suggests the fundraiser remains an important fixture in the local charitable calendar.
For Ascension St. Vincent’s Foundation, the 2026 result offers momentum heading into the next chapter of the event’s history.
How community members can learn more about the foundation
Ascension St. Vincent’s Foundation says people who want more information can visit GiveStVincents.org. The organization uses the foundation to connect donors with programs that support patient care and community health throughout the region.
The foundation’s latest result shows that the event continues to draw steady interest from local businesses, health professionals and community supporters. With $420,000 raised, Delicious Destinations again served as both a fundraiser and a public show of support for the health system’s work in Northeast Florida.