Angie House of Marietta takes some chocolates from a tray during the 37th annual EVE Chocolate Party fundraiser at the Glenwood Community in Marietta Sunday. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)

MARIETTA – People came out to the Glenwood Community on Sunday to help EVE Inc. by helping themselves to some delicious chocolate creations.

The 37th annual EVE Chocolate Party fundraiser at Glenwood featured more than 60 chocolate creations, from baked good to candies and more.

“Glenwood has been a really good partner with us to help put this on,” said EVE Executive Director Trina Rataicvak. “People are coming here to support the survivors of domestic violence and to keep their shelter operational so people can have a safe place to go to.”

The event was previously hosted at the Levee House and the Betsey Mills Club as Chocolate on the Levee and Chocolate at the Betsey. It came to the Glenwood Community in 2017.

EVE Inc. also works with people who have survived sexual assault and human trafficking and provides resources like shelter, counseling or other services, she said.

Triple chocolate muffins were among the offerings at the 37th annual EVE Chocolate Party fundraiser at the Glenwood Community Sunday in Marietta. Individuals and businesses from around the community contributed chocolates to the event to help raise money for EVE Inc. and its programs to help survivors of domestic violence. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)

“All of the money raised here goes directly to helping survivors,” Rataicvak said.

People paid a fee of $10 per person or $25 for families and could have a variety of chocolate creations made by individuals and local businesses. People could purchase a to-go box to take with them.

Traditionally, the event raises $2,500 to $3,000, said EVE board President Jill Deming.

“We couldn’t do it without the support of the community,” she said. “All of the chocolate is donated by community members, restaurants and other businesses.

“We have people that make things every year, and we have had people who have made things for years. I say around 95% for the chocolate at the event comes from supporters.”

Dottie, 6, of Washington County puts together a plate of treats at the 37th annual EVE Chocolate Party fundraiser at the Glenwood Community in Marietta Sunday. The event was held as a fundraiser for EVE Inc., which runs a shelter for domestic violence survivors and provides other services. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)

Businesses such as Giant Eagle, Busy Bee, Holl’s Chocolate, Lisa’s Sweet Stop, the Village Cakery and others as well as individuals from around the community contributed chocolates to the event.

Deming said it is always nice to see families come in as many parents let their children indulge themselves and get to try some things they might not otherwise.

The event, which ran from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, had a lot of people during the first hour, she said.

The residents of Glenwood were given a reduced rate of $5 so they could socialize with the other people attending.

There are nine people being served at the EVE Shelter, including multiple children.

A tray of chocolate peanut raisin clusters was one of the offerings at the 37th annual EVE Chocolate Party fundraiser at the Glenwood Community Sunday in Marietta. More than 60 different types of chocolates were available during the event. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)

The event helps raise community awareness of what EVE Inc. does, Deming said.

“It is getting out into the community and getting our name out there,” she said.

Marietta Municipal Court Judge Randall Jedlink said he came to the event to help support the shelter.

“I have seen, firsthand, the help the EVE Shelter gives to a lot of people, a lot of victims of crime,” he said. “This is a good fundraiser.

Family members who came with him “get to eat some sweets and support a good cause. We try to be here every year.”

Angie House of Marietta was a resident of the EVE Shelter years ago and said she came to the event to be able to give something back to EVE for all the help they provided her.

“I totally support it,” she said.

House has a food truck that did a fundraiser for EVE last year where they collected around $500 in donations to help get the kids at the shelter something for Christmas.

“I’m going to do it again this year, and I am hoping to be able to raise more,” she said.

When House arrived at the EVE shelter, she was a mother with three kids, no job and no other support.

“They let me move in there, and they helped me,” she said.

House talked about how the people at the shelter helped arrange a setup where some of her kids’ teachers were able to give them a ride to and from school.

“EVE helped me get my first place; they helped me with schooling and more,” she said. “I don’t know what I would have done without them.”

The event Sunday raised around $2,600 with an estimated 175 people attending.

Contact Brett Dunlap at bdunlap@newsandsentinel.com