The Calabria Foundation, an organization dedicated to advancing local arts, education andmore recentlymobile medical services, will host its Summer Bash Fundraiser at Houston's Karbach Brewing Co. from 6–8 p.m. June 20. The event is open to the public and will feature a live auction, Karbach's wide beer selection and food provided by Flaming Patties food truck.

"We rent our brewery pretty much any day of the week," said David Graham, director of marketing for Karbach Brewing Co. "We are there to facilitate the event, and we like to do what we can to help local organizations."

In addition to gourmet food and drink, the fundraiser will include an auction to include original pieces from local artist Christine Reyna's "Crosses for Missions" collection that features crucifixes made from broken marbles. Personal maid and chef services will also be auctioned off, and the Calabria Foundation's founder and executive director, Chris Pantuso, will be offering his services by preparing an authentic homemade Italian meal for the family of the highest bidder.

"The meal will be one of my Nani's specials: gnocchi," Pantuso said. "Karbach is also donating T-shirts and beer glasses as well."

Tickets for the fundraiser will be sold in advance at www.TheCalabriaFoundation.org for $5 per adult and $3 for those under 21 and at the door for $10. Proceeds from the fundraiser will be given to the Calabria Foundation to help the organization pay dues to attain nonprofit status from the IRS later this year.

Karbach Brewing Co. offers weekly tours from 5–7 p.m. on Mondays and Fridays and noon–3 p.m. on Saturdays. Tour tickets are $7.

Karbach Brewing Co.

2032 Karbach Street

Houston 713-680-2739

www.karbachbrewing.com

The Calabria Foundation

The primary goal of Pantuso's Cypress-based foundation is to acquire and maintain a fleet of mobile medical units equipped with in-house Texas licensed physicians and registered nurses to offer affordable health screenings ranging from a patient's height and weight to their cardiac and cancer risks. By signing a liability waiver and paying a one-time $5 fee, patients will gain access to all of the mobile medical unit's services, which will consist of up to 27 non-invasive screenings. Once the screenings are completed, patients will be referred accordingly and be able to opt for a blood draw for further assessments.

"Most of us take our good health for granted," Pantuso said. "People usually have health insurance through their employer. However, more than 1.1 million Harris County residents don't have health insurance. We want to make these services available to anyone who needs themregardless of any extenuating factors."

Pantuso and his board said they plan to have at least three mobile medical units up and running by summer 2014, but the foundation's first priority is to obtain nonprofit status and continue work on the Calabria Gardens, a community garden established near Fairfield in Cypress. Tomatoes, okra and summer squash have already been planted by community volunteers and will be donated to the Houston Food Bank and several local charities.

For more information, visit www.TheCalabriaFoundation.org or call Chris Pantuso at 281-746-2251.