LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Five high schools and 17 other Lake County organizations have been selected as beneficiaries of this year’s Lake County Wine Auction.
“This year a big portion of our money goes to youth and education, the strongest way to build a solid future for our county,” said Wine Alliance President Kaj Ahlmann.
The Wine Alliance, a nonprofit organization of wineries, winegrape growers, vineyard owners, related businesses and community supporters has contributed $1,401,500 to foster the arts, benefit health services, and support the community since it was founded in the year 2000.
In addition, the organization also has a mandate to promote Lake County as a premier growing region for fine wine grapes and other crops.
All proceeds from the Wine Auction activities will benefit the selected beneficiaries.
Twenty organizations, agencies and programs submitted their funding requests to the Wine Alliance, demonstrating the number of worthy programs in Lake County seeking financial assistance.
This year's beneficiaries are:
• The five comprehensive high schools of Lake County for their arts programs;
• The Lake County Sheriff’s Activity league for their anti-bullying program;
• United Christian Parish for their food pantry;
• Totes4Teens to support children living in poverty;
• Lake County senior centers for Meals on Wheels;
• Worldwide Healing Hands for Lake County medical outreach;
• LC Campus Culinary Arts Club for their mobile kitchen classroom program;
• LCOE Dolly Parton Imagination Library for books;
• EcoArts of Lake County to subsidize school field trips;
• Lake County Symphony Association for their youth music program;
• Children’s Museum of Art and Science for their annual art and science camp;
• Channel Cats swim team for new equipment;
• United Veterans Council for emergency help for veterans in trouble;
• Church Women United for shoes for needy children;
• Lake County Mock Trial program for scholarships for needy students;
• Operation Tango Mike in support of Lake County service personnel;
• Sponsoring Survivorship to assist those with breast cancer;
• Lake County 4-H for student programs.
This year’s auction, the 17th, will take place at Cache Creek Vineyard and Winery on Highway 20 in Clearlake Oaks on Saturday, Sept. 16, from 5 to 10 p.m.
This exciting venue, which was the scene of last year’s event, has been used for numerous social and community events over the years provides guests with a unique view into the diversity of Lake County's agricultural community.
The Lake County Wine Auction open to guests 21 years and older.
Honorary co-chairs for the Wine Auction are John and Joanne Van Eck, proprietors of Cole Creek Equestrian center.
Members of the all-volunteer Wine Alliance Board are Kaj Ahlmann, president; Dr. Judy Luchsinger, vice president; Sharron Zoller, secretary; Rob Roumiguiere, treasurer; and Marie Beery and Bill Groody directors.
Tickets for the Wine Auction will be available through the Wine Alliance Web site, www.winealliance.org , or by calling 1-866-279-WINE to make reservations. Information about sponsorship opportunities is available from Marie Beery, 707-278-0129.
This year’s major sponsors include Tribal Health, Mendo Lake Credit Union, Beckstoffer Vineyards, American AgCredit, Trinchero Family Estates, Sutter Lakeside Hospital, Savings Bank of Mendocino County, Cache Creek Vineyard & Winery, Artist John Clarke, Umpqua Bank, Bella Vista Farming, Tricorbraun, Wildhurst Winery, The Travel Center and Boatique Winery.