Memorial Day is the unofficial first day of summer for some. For others, it’s the last day of school. But for some Washingtonians, summer doesn’t start until the first Sunday in June when hundreds converge on the corner of 11th & Kenyon St NW in Columbia Heights in their finest sundresses for The Wonderland Ballroom’s annual Sundress Fest.
DC’s favorite neighborhood bar has been supporting DC Central Kitchen and other nonprofits for nearly as long as they’ve been open. Since 2004, they’ve been using funds from their annual street party to benefit local nonprofits. “Matthew [McGovern] and I launched Sundress Fest in our very first year as a way to give back and say thanks to the community that supported us,” says Wonderland co-owner Rose Donna. “At the start, we raised money for some local nonprofits, like the Latin American Youth Center and Community of Hope. [DCCK Chief Development Officer] Alex Moore was one of our regulars and asked us, ‘So when will you have a Sundress Fest for DCCK?’”
Like a lot of bar and restaurant owners in the DMV, Rose and Matt were familiar with the Kitchen, but didn’t realize just how involved we are in the community. “We’d heard of DC Central Kitchen, but didn’t fully grasp the scope of their impact. Alex painted such a compelling picture of their work that we were not only inspired to donate, we also got involved directly, even joining their volunteer job interview program.”
So, in 2014, The Wonderland Ballroom began donating proceeds from Sundress Fest to DCCK, raising more than $115,000 for the Kitchen over the years in support of our work in the community.
In addition to owning and operating a successful neighborhood bar and restaurant for more than two decades in Columbia Heights, another beloved neighborhood bar and restaurant in Brookland for 10 years (Dew Drop Inn), Rose also understands the world of nonprofits. “As someone who has spent much of my career in the nonprofit sector, I continue to be deeply inspired by DC Central Kitchen’s unwavering commitment to innovation and impact,” says Rose.
“What sets DCCK apart is not just the scope of their services, but the smart, efficient, and scalable way they operate. While many organizations plateau over time, DCCK continues to evolve—expanding programs, deepening impact, and finding new ways to serve the community. Their ability to grow without losing focus or effectiveness is truly rare and incredibly impressive. Supporting their mission feels like investing in real, lasting change.”
You can invest in that change with a $25 cover charge going to DCCK this Sunday, June 1 from 11 am until 7 pm at The Wonderland Ballroom.
