Peanut Butter Pups Giveaway

I’m sorry for the delay in choosing a winner for this delicious giveaway! The events in Boston recently definitely made me step away from blogging for awhile. I’m back now, and after meeting so many amazing therapy dogs on Boylston Street and feeling their healing powers firsthand, I am excited to announce that Noel is the winner of this giveaway. Please email me traveleatlove (@) gmail.com. Thank you, Gearharts Chocolates and Companions for Heroes!

How cute is this chocolate puppy? Well, I will have you know that, in addition to being adorable, he’s really delicious too. You can’t go wrong with handmade chocolate stuffed with homemade peanut utter, especially when it’s for a good cause.

Geartharts Chocolates started in Charlottesville, Virginia, a place I am dying to visit, and is headed up by Tim Gearhart, who learned his craft at the CIA. Tim’s career includes being stationed in Kuwait during the Gulf War where he served as a line cook. Now that he has his own delicious company, Tim is giving back with these Peanut Butter Pups, which benefit the organization Companions for Heroes.

Being a huge lover of animals, I was smitten with this idea the second I received the email. I have heard of Companions for Heroes before, and I love the idea of shelter pets healing wounded veterans and vice versa. There’s so much ugly happening in the world, but there’s so much possibility for kindness too. Animals, especially shelter pets, have a huge capacity for love, and it’s amazing to see them giving that to American heroes to help them heal.

I loved being able to sample Gearharts chocolates, and what’s even better, they are offering a box of Peanut Butter Pups to one lucky Travel, Wine, and Dine reader.

Just check out Gearharts website, and let me know, in addition to the pups, which of their fine chocolates you’d like to try.

I will choose a winner next Tuesday evening. If you are so inclined, please spread the word about the great partnership between this chocolatier and Companions for Heroes; it’s the perfect match!

GEARHARTS FINE CHOCOLATES INTRODUCES NEW LINE OF
PEANUT BUTTER PUPS

-“Pups” to Benefit Companions for Heroes-

Charlottesville, VA – April 1, 2013– Gearharts Fine Chocolates (www.gearhartschocolates.com) announces a new line of chocolates, Peanut Butter Pups, that will benefit Companions for Heroes (www.companionsforheroes.org), a non-profit organization that provides companion animals for war veterans. The “Pups,” inspired by children but enjoyed by all ages, resemble a miniature dachshund, with their elongated noses and dark brown eyes. The Peanut Butter Pups are now available in nine-piece boxes at Gearhart’s Richmond and Charlottesville, Va., store locations and online at a MSRP of $22.00.

The Pups are made from premium milk chocolate, cream and Virginia-based Reginald’s Homemade peanut butter, then finished with a dark chocolate face and toasted almond ears. In true Gearharts fashion, each piece is finished by hand and includes no additives or preservatives.

Five percent of sales of the Peanut Butter Pups will be donated to Companions for Heroes (C4H), formerly named Pets2Vets. C4H was founded in 2009 by David Sharp, an Air Force veteran who was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in 2003 after serving a tour in Iraq. Sharp saw his life change after rescuing a pit bull puppy from a local Virginia shelter. C4H pairs rescue animals with war veterans to aid our country’s heroes in their recovery, while at the same time provide shelter and rescue animals with good homes.

Chocolatier and Owner Tim Gearhart of Gearharts Fine Chocolates, began his culinary career in the Gulf War. After graduating from high school, Tim joined the Marines and served as a line cook in Kuwait. He attributes much of the patience and repetitive nature that now benefits him as a chocolatier to his time there, having to cook for up to 20,000 Marines a day.

“We’re excited to partner with Companions for Heroes,” said Tim. “I know firsthand what the men and women protecting our country go through when they serve tours, and it feels good to be able to do something for them when they come home.”

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About Gearharts Fine Chocolates

Founded in 2001, Gearharts Chocolates is an artisan chocolate shop specializing in handmade fine chocolates. Gearharts blends premium chocolates from around the world with local sweet cream and butter, and forges complementary flavors and textures using premium fruits, nuts, herbs, teas, spices and liqueurs. The company, co-owned by Tim Gearhart and Bill Hamilton, is headquartered in Charlottesville, Va., with a second location in Richmond, Va. Products are available for retail, wholesale, corporate events and weddings, and also are sold online. For more information, visit www.gearhartschocolates.com.

About Companions for Heroes

Companions for Heroes (C4H) was founded in October 2009 by David Sharp, an Air Force veteran who served a tour in Iraq in 2003. C4H pairs shelter and rescue animals with war veterans and other heroes suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and similar symptoms to aid in their recovery. To date, C4H has aided more than 150 of the nation’s heroes, while finding caring homes for shelter and rescue pets. For more information, visit www.companionsforheroes.org.