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Lake County Wine Alliance announces 2014 Wine Auction beneficiaries
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Five high schools, eight youth-oriented programs and 10 other Lake County nonprofit organizations have been selected as beneficiaries of this year's Lake County Wine Auction.
“To build a strong community, we need to help the next generation respect Lake County's agricultural tradition and improve their educational skills,” said Wine Alliance President Kaj Ahlmann. “With our grants, the Wine Alliance is working towards those goals.”
The Wine Alliance – a nonprofit organization of wineries, winegrape growers, vineyard owners, related businesses and community supporters – has contributed $1,081,302 to foster the arts, benefit health services and support the community since it was founded in the year 2000.
In addition, the organization has a mandate to promote Lake County as a premier growing region for fine winegrapes and other crops.
This year's auction, the 15th, will take place at the Cole Creek Equestrian Center in Kelseyville on Saturday, Sept. 20, from 4 to 10 p.m.
Cole Creek Equestrian Center, which was the scene of last year's event, has been used for numerous social and community events over the years and provides guests with a unique view into the diversity of Lake County's agricultural community. The Lake County Wine Auction is open to guests 21 years and older.
All proceeds from the Wine Auction activities will benefit the selected beneficiaries.
Eighteen 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, Catholic Charities for its food and benefits outreach project, United Christian Parish for its food pantry, Hospice Services of Lake County for bereavement support groups, Sponsoring Survivorship for assistance to residents with breast cancer, the Yuba College Culinary Club for scholarships, Clear Lake Performing Arts for beginning string instruction, Lower Lake High School Culinary Club, Lake County Church Women United for their shoes and socks program.
Groups that also will receive funds from the event include the Lake County Office of Education for the Mock Trial team, the Lake Community Pride Foundation for its teen shelter, Lake County Channel Cats, Lower Lake School House Museum for student field trips, the Lake County Literacy Coalition for its adult literacy program, the Lake County Senior Centers for its Meals on Wheels program, Operation Tango Mike for support of our local soldiers overseas and Habitat for Humanity new projects to create affordable housing.
Tickets for the Wine Auction will be available through the Wine Alliance Web site, www.winealliance.org , or by calling1-866-279-WINE to make reservations.
Information about sponsorship opportunities is available from Marie Beery, 707-278-0129. Major sponsors confirmed to date are Beckstoffer Vineyards, Mendo Lake Credit Union, Fowler Chevrolet, artist John Clarke, St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake, Shannon Ridge Winery, Cal Pine, Trinchero Family Estates and Kelseyville Pharmacy.
In addition, $10,000 in matching grants has been received from Deutsche Bank and General Electric.
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.