ROBERTSDALE, Ala. — A packed house filled the PZK Civic Center in Robertsdale Friday for the Third Annual Chocolate Affair to benefit Family Promise of Baldwin County.

“I guess you could say the third time’s the charm,” said Mike Brokowsky, director of Family Promise. “We had an excellent crowd, a great turnout for a wonderful event. It was definitely the best we’ve had so far.”

While Brokowsky didn’t have an exact figure of how much was raised, he said it was definitely more than the previous two years.

“We raised $1,400 more just in sponsors this year,” he said, “and we had that much or more for the silent auction. While we haven’t compiled all the figures, it was definitely a success.”

In an earlier interview, Brokowsky said the event, which is the biggest fundraiser of the year for Family Promise, raised $10,000 last year, but needed to raise twice as much this year because of the economy and the oil spill.

All the money raised will go toward funding the programs of Family Promise and helping the families they serve throughout the county.

Entertainment was provided by the band “Cool Breeze” and a bounty of food was available including shrimp from Big Fish, fudge pies from Nolan’s, bourbon balls from Perdido Beach Resort, mile-high chocolate pies from Big Daddy’s, platters from Zaxby’s and Chic-Fil-A and many other desserts and appetizers from local restaurants, plus two chocolate fountains from Buffet Enhancements, and a wine and champagne bar.

The silent auction included Gulf Coast Zoo family passes, several rounds of golf from Gulf State Park, Holly Hills Country Club, Lake Forest Golf Club, Golf Club of the Wharf and Cotton Creek Golf Club, charter fishing trips from Zeke’s Marina, barbecue grill from Baldwin EMC, two night stay from Staybridge Suites and Magnolia Hotel, numerous gift certificates from area restaurants, merchants and professionals, Brokowsky said.

Door prizes and gift certificates were also given away during the evening.

A national, nonprofit United Way Agency with 159 affiliates throughout the country, Family Promise seeks to help those families who have fallen victim to hard times.

Through Interfaith Hospitality Network, an interdenominational network of host churches and volunteers, Family Promise of Baldwin County, located in between Summerdale and Foley on Highway 59, provides food, shelter and the love of Christ to those families who need a helping hand to get back on their feet.

With 14 host churches throughout the county and eight support congregations, along with a Day Center, Brokowsky said, they can help up to four families or 14 individuals for a week at a time in different host churches. They only take families with children under 18 and can’t take those with drug, alcohol or mental health issues.

Because of their nonprofit status, Family Promise depends on donations, grants and fundraisers to keep the organization going, especially from the local community.

While continuing to praise the success of the event, Brokowsky said there are a few things he’d like to see done differently next year.

“I’d like to see more of the wonderful food we had displayed at one time,” he said. “Also I think the live auction should be done earlier in the evening. Time just kind of got away from us, but overall, I think everyone enjoyed the evening.”

Information for this article was compiled from an earlier report by Staff Writer Andrea Williamson Brooks with Independent Editor John Underwood contributing to the report.