Last month we had the opportunity to gather at Caffe Lena with Schrader and Company employees and customers for our annual Client Appreciation Event. The evening was a chance to celebrate our long standing relationships with the homeowners who make our business possible, an opportunity to learn more about our community from local experts, and a philanthropic effort.
Caffe Lena is a local institution beloved by performers across the globe. We began the night with Executive Director Sarah Craig, who treated all of us to a talk about the rich history of Caffe Lena and its mission to to carry forward Lena Spencer’s dedication to community service through music, creating friendships, careers and harmonious connection.
Next, ninth generation Saratogian and author Dr. Hollis Palmer took us on an “Armchair Walking Tour” of the beautiful city of Saratoga, and its bevvy of glamorous mansions, or “Great Ladies”. We all learned a great deal from Dr. Palmer’s considerable expertise, which has informed the writing of his true crime series and his book, “See and be Seen: Saratoga in the Victorian Era” which was the 2011 winner of the Ruth Emory Award for best regional history book.
In addition to these two great speakers, our guests also dined on the delicious cuisine of Mazzone Catering.
There was one more important component to the evening. We asked all of our attendees to bring food donations for an organization that has become near and dear to us–Snack Pak 4 Kidz. Snack Pak 4 Kidz is a weekend backpack program that provides much needed food to children to take home over the weekends, when schools cannot provide meals to students. Our clients came through with generous amounts of food which all went to children in our own community in need. We are so grateful to everyone who contributed to this worthy cause.
It was a lovely evening to remember, combining fascinating local history in a landmark location, great food, philanthropy and our beloved clients, without whom Schrader and Company would not be possible.
Thank you to all of our clients, Caffe Lena, Sarah Craig, Dr. Hollis Palmer and Mazzone Catering for a wonderful night.
