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Wine Alliance distributes $90,000 to Lake County programs
KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Five high schools, eight youth oriented programs and three other nonprofit organizations will share the $90,000 raised this year from September's Lake County Wine Auction.
The funds were distributed Wednesday evening at the Saw Shop Gallery Bistro in Kelseyville.
This year, education was the emphasis.
“Our commitment to this critical area will ensure that Lake County grows as a strong and healthy community for the next generation,” said Kaj Ahlmann, president of the Lake County Wine Alliance.
The Wine Alliance, is a nonprofit organization of wineries, winegrape growers, vineyard owners, related businesses and community supporters and sponsor of the Wine Auction.
Since its founding in 2000, the Wine Alliance has raised $1,081,302 to foster the arts, benefit health services and otherwise support the Lake County community.
Applications are now being accepted for proceeds from the next year's auction, to be held on Sept. 20, 2014.
The 2013 Auction, the 14th, took place at the Cole Creek Equestrian Center in Kelseyville, a special venue which contributed not only to successful fundraising but also to the promotion of Lake County as not only a premier wine region but also a community of diverse agriculture.
This venue was so popular that the auction board has chosen it for the 2014 event as well.
The honorary chairs for the 2013's Wine Auction were John and Joanne VanEck, the owners of Cole Creek Equestrian. They were assisted by committee co-chairs Judy Luchsinger of Lakeport and Sharron Zoller of Kelseyville.
The event's success this year would not have been possible without the support of valued sponsors: Mendo Lake Credit Union, Calpine, Six Sigma Ranch, Beckstoffer Vineyards, Kathy Fowler Chevrolet, Bella Vista Farming, John C. Clarke, Shannon Ridge Winery, The Savings Bank of Mendocino, Umpqua Bank, Ceago Vineyard and Winery, Kelseyville Pharmacy, Brassfield Estate Vineyard & Winery and the Lake County Winegrape Commission.
The board of directors of the Lake County Wine Alliance wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who made this year's success possible. Their support is deeply appreciated, not only by the alliance but by its beneficiaries as well.
The proceeds for 2013 were distributed as follows.
The Arts ($30,000)
- $6,000, Lower Lake High School
- $6,000, Kelseyville High School
- $6,000, Upper Lake High School
- $6,000, Clearlake High School
- $6,000, Middletown High School
Health and community ($32,000)
- $2,700, Clearlake Performing Arts youth programs
- $1,000, Yuba College Culinary Club
- $1,500, Friends of the Lake County Museum Student Outreach Program
- $1,600, Lake County Literacy Task Force Imagination Library
- $1,600, Lake County Boy Scouts Wreaths Across America
- $1,500, MDSC Boy Scouts (Cut Scout Day Damp)
- $1,600, LC Council of Church Women United Shoes and Socks Program
- $3,500, Operation Tango Mike
- $15,000, Lake County Office of Education Taylor Observatory
- $15,000, Lake County 4-H
- $15,000, People Services