By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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CHERRY VALLEY — Cravings for chocolate treats were satisfied this week at a sweet annual event to support a nonprofit agency that helps people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.

The 16th annual Chocoholic Frolic wrapped up Thursday after a sell-out of all 225 of its to-go Chocolate Crave Cases and its 125 VIP packages. The final tally of money raised wasn’t yet totaled as of Friday, but the event is the key fundraiser for The Arc of Winnebago, Boone and Ogle Counties.

“It’s amazing to always have the community support,” said Amy Newell, executive director of The Arc. “Oftentimes people don’t know about The Arc until they need The Arc, and so we always hope we can talk about the work we do with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to as many people as we can.”

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The Arc serves roughly 400 individuals and their families annually from communities across north central Illinois.

The Chocoholic Frolic has been its biggest fundraiser for years. It was previously responsible for the annual Great Home Giveaway, but that ended in 2012. Then it spent six years running The Great Dream Machine sweepstakes.

Now, the big draw is the Frolic’s Chocolate Crave Cases, which are stuffed with treats from at least 20 vendors such as Cookies by Design, Dairy Haus, Fannie May and Nothing Bundt Cake, among others. Newell said it sells out nearly every year. There was also an in-person event with dueling pianos, sweet treats and catering by Perfectly Seasoned Catering.

“We’re just thankful and grateful to every sponsor, every provider and everybody who bought a ticket,” Newell said. “Every piece of it makes it a success, which means that we can do all of the things that we do.”