UKIAH, Calif. – The Mendocino College Foundation’s annual Gala on the Green fundraiser was held on Saturday, June 23, to a large crowd of more than 340 guests at Campovida in Hopland.

Richard Cooper, Special Events/Marketing Committee chair, and Katherine Elliott, Special Events/Marketing Committee vice chair, announced the foundation exceeded last year’s revenue in sponsorships from $12,000 to this year’s $33,000.  

The live auction earned more than $25,000, up from last year’s $18,000 and similarly the silent auction and wine raffle are up in overall revenue.

Proceeds from the gala fund student scholarships, book awards and provide much needed financial support to instructional programs at Mendocino College.

Mendocino College student speakers were Trevor Mockel, Hailey Young and Scott Wilson, who thanked the gala attendees for their support and encouragement.  

All three students recently received three of the most prestigious foundation scholarships.

This year’s live auction got off to a great start with emcee Sheriff Tom Allman auctioning off a trip to Mazatlan, followed by three Skunk Train packages which earned over $9,000 thanks to the generosity of Mr. Robert Pinoli.  

Other auction items included two sets of original John Bogner ties, Safari West package, two Westside Progressive Dinners, Condo at Squaw Valley, Jaxon Keys Getaway, and Tasting with Influence kindly donated by Sheriff Allman, Tour Mendocino Wines and District Attorney David Eyster.

Foundation Executive Director Katie Fairbairn and Event Coordinator Travis Scott expressed their gratitude to the Special Events Committee members, event sponsors, auction item donors, winning bidders, foundation board members, volunteers, participating wineries and all of the gala attendees for their wonderful support.

According to Cooper, this year’s sponsors included Campovida, Mendo Lake Credit Union, Skunk Train, TLCD Architecture, Wright Contracting, Richard Cooper, Lake County Friends of Mendocino College, Gary & Edelgard Smith, Jay and Lisa Epstein of State Farm Insurance, Frank R. Howard Hospital, Gary Nix, Midstate Construction, Savings Bank of Mendocino County, Ukiah Valley Medical Center, SHN Consulting Engineers, Weibel Winery, Stan’s Maple Café, Caito Fisheries, TJ Elton, Huffman for Congress, Wells Fargo Advisors John Goldsmith and Rand Rodgers, John Fetzer and Patty Rock of Saracina, Dandelion Floral, Diane Daubeneck and Lee Parker, Nicholas Petti, Coro Mendocino, Katherine Elliott and George Husaruk.  

Beer for the event was donated by Robert Pinoli and wineries that provided donations were Wildhurst Vineyards, Steele Wines, Parducci Winery, Lula Cellars, Barra of Mendocino, Truett Hurst, Rivino, Kendall Jackson, Vice Versa, Testa Vineyards and Weibel Family Vineyards & Winery.

The gala is one of many ways the Mendocino College Foundation obtains funding to support students and programs at Mendocino College.

For more information, please contact the foundation office at 707-467-1018.