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KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – This time of year often is called the season of giving, when people share gifts, appreciation and – in the case of the Lake County Wine Alliance – big checks.
Another year of hard work, organization and the group's signature event – the 11th annual Lake County Wine Auction took place this last September at Ceago Vinegarden in Nice – bore generous fruit once more, as the group was able to distribute approximately $60,100 to 17 nonprofit organizations, agencies and high schools at a Tuesday evening get-together at the Saw Shop Gallery Bistro in Kelseyville.
The Tuesday distribution brings the all-volunteer Lake County Wine Alliance's total contributions to the community from Wine Auction proceeds to approximately $831,765.
More than 50 representatives of the beneficiary organizations joined with major sponsors, Wine Alliance board members and Wine Auction committee members to celebrate receiving the funds on Tuesday.
“We have an enormous group of volunteers who are giving money away to an enormous group of volunteers,” said Rob Roumiguiere, the Wine Alliance treasurer.
The money will help augment budgets that have been severely impacted by the recent economic downturn, Wine Alliance representatives reported.
The Wine Auction's annual proceeds come from several sources – ticket sales, donations from sponsorships, live and silent auction income, additional funds raised at the event through admittance to a special tasting of reserve wines and sales of a fine art poster by artist John R. Clarke commemorating the event, the group said.
The charter of the Wine Alliance directs its efforts to foster the arts, benefit health services, and support the community, while promoting Lake County as a premier grape growing and fine wine region.
Event organizations said each of the three funding categories – the arts, health and community – was allocated a designated amount of funds to be shared amongst the recipients.
The allocations are as follows.
Arts ($20,000): Each of the five high schools in Lake County – Clear Lake, Kelseyville, Lower Lake, Middletown and Upper Lake – received $4,000 for their fine and performing arts programs.
Health ($20,100): Each of the organizations in this category received $6,700 – Hilltop Recovery Services, the emergency department at St. Helena Hospital Clearlake and the Lake County Children’s Dental Disease Prevention Program.
Community ($20,000): The Lake County Channel Cats were given $1,500; Operation Tango Mike received $3,500; the Lake County Community Action Agency/Safe House and the Friends of the Lake County Library each received $5,000. Each of the five senior centers with Meals on Wheels programs – Highlands Senior Center, Lakeport Senior Activity Center, Live Oak Seniors, Lucerne Alpine Senior Center, and Middletown Senior Center – received $1,000.
Members of the Wine Alliance board of directors – Margaret Walker-Stimmel, president; Marie Beery, vice president; Pamela Shine-Duncan, secretary; Roumiguiere; and Kaj Ahlmann, Judy Luchsinger, Wilda Shock, and Janet Thompson – work year-round on the effort.
However, Roumiguiere said there are many more people critical to the annual event – including major sponsors, who help cover the costs of the Wine Auction in order to boost the proceeds given to community groups.
Major sponsors this year included Mendo Lake Credit Union, Beauty, Health & Wellness, Beckstoffer Vineyards, Pacific Gas and Electric Co., St. Helena Hospital Clearlake, Six Sigma Ranch & Winery, Bella Vista Farming Co., Bob Bartley Pump Inc., Ceago Vinegarden, Lake County Winegrape Commission, Shannon Ridge Vineyards & Winery, Specialty Care & Surgery Center, Tulip Hill Winery, Umpqua Bank, American AgCredit, C-Line Express, Kelseyville Pharmacy, Konocti Vista Casino, St. Helena Hospital Development, Sutter Lakeside Hospital and WestAmerica Bank.
Groups wanting to be among the 2011 recipients can start the application process now, Roumiguiere said.
Applications for funding are available online at www.winealliance.org or from Judy Luchsinger, chair of the beneficiaries committee, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Applications must be returned via email or postmarked by March 1, 2011.
The 12th annual Lake County Wine Auction will be held on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2011, at Ceago Vinegarden.
Roumiguiere – who noted that the 2010 Wine Auction was “just a phenomenal, phenomenal time” – said the group has even bigger and better plans for the 2011 event.
The Lake County Wine Alliance may be contacted by phone, 866-279-WINE, or by mail to P.O. Box 530, Kelseyville 95451.
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