Seattle Chocolate Company will donate 4,000 dark chocolate bars to raise awareness and support for Gilda’s Club Seattle. The organization was named after comedian Gilda Radner, whose husband Gene Wilder, star of Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory, founded a free cancer support organization in her name after she died of ovarian cancer.

Jean Thompson, of Bellevue, CEO and owner of of Seattle Chocolates said it was an easy decision for her company to support Gilda’s Club Seattle, which she recently joined as a board member.

“Gilda’s Club is magical. Their energy, their commitment is contagious. This is a fun way for us to draw attention to this amazing free resource and spread the word.”

The chocolate bars – named “Gilda’s Bars” – feature a drawing of Gilda Radner’s famous smile. They provide a way to keep her memory alive and give a nod to the movie made famous by her husband.

Everyone who purchases a $5 Gilda’s bar will get the satisfaction of helping those with cancer and their families. To launch the bars, five will contain “golden tickets” just like in the Willy Wonka movie. Seattle Chocolates – for the first time ever – is opening the doors to its factory to the winners of these ticket holders.

The chocolate bars will be available at Gilda’s Club Seattle’ website (www.gildasclubseattle.org) and Seattle Chocolate (www.seattlechocolates.com).