Artist, cigar co. event supports Robin's Home
Swirling cigar smoke, laughter and classic rock made for a great night at the Beer, Bourbon, Cigars & Music fundraiser for Robin's Home for women veterans Wednesday night.
Hennessy Cigar Co. of Butler and local artist Tom Panei hosted the exclusive event at Panei's art studio in Butler city. With the price of admission, guests received food and drink from local sponsors The Chop Shop, Butler Brew Works, Cummings Coffee, Missing Links and MLH Distillery as well as a cigar from Hennessy Cigar Co. Panei serenaded the crowd on guitar from 7 to 8 p.m., and provided an original painting for silent auction.
Proceeds from the fundraiser and silent auction were given in support of homeless women veterans and their families living at Robin's Home in Butler. According to Kathy Hennessy, owner of Hennessy Cigar Co. with her husband, Tim, the home will use the funds to launch a Community Integration Program for residents.
“It's to help people get established and learn to move forward with their lives,” Hennessy said. “(The hosts) want to help them (make) friends and get them connected within the community.”
Mary Chitwood, veteran and founder/executive director of Robin's home, said it was great to see community members support the cause.“When you hear the word veteran, you often think of a man,” Chitwood said. “It's nice to see awareness brought to the female veteran.”Robin's home is looking for volunteers to get women acclimated within the community and help reduce their level of isolation. Chitwood said that, according to Veterans Affairs, 20 veterans per day commit suicide.“We need volunteers to take people out to movies, lunch, bowling, whatever they'd like to do,” Chitwood said. “Women work hard while they are here.”Chitwood said Robin's Home has housed 24 people since 2019, seven of those being children. In addition to housing, Robin's Home supports women veterans with legal referrals, financial literacy and seeking employment.“We meet (women) where they are, and stay in touch with them when they leave,” Chitwood said.Hennesy said the home is at full capacity and could use support. She hopes Beer, Bourbon, Cigars & Music will become an annual event for Robin's Home.“It's a laid-back event; everyone had a good time,” Hennessy said. “Getting the support of the community, that's what matters.”Panei, a longtime friend of the Hennessys, helped brainstorm the fundraiser and was glad to allow the use of his studio space. He was especially grateful to the sponsors who made the event possible. “Butler is great ... the community always wants to support each other,” Panei said. “You'll call (a business) and they won't even ask what it's for, they'll just say 'sure.'”Tim Hennessy said he was thankful to those who bought tickets and is hoping for more corporate support at the next benefit.“This is our first big thing,” he said. “People were generous.”For more information on Robin's Home and how to donate, visit robinshome.us.
