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Wine Alliance ready for annual charity event
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The 13th annual Lake County Wine Auction will be presented on Saturday, Sept. 15, at Brassfield Estate Winery in High Valley.
This major fundraising event benefits nonprofit arts, health services and community organizations in Lake County.
The sponsoring Lake County Wine Alliance has contributed $896,765 in proceeds to Lake County groups since its inception in 2000.
Jerry Brassfield, proprietor of Brassfield Estate Winery, will be the honorary chair for the 2012 Wine Auction.
He will be assisted by an all-volunteer committee, co-chaired by Judy Luchsinger of Lakeport and Sharron Zoller of Kelseyville.
Five senior centers, five high schools, three high school programs, and eight nonprofit organizations have been selected as beneficiaries of this year’s Lake County Wine Auction.
All proceeds from the event will benefit the selected beneficiaries. More than 40 organizations, agencies, and programs submitted their funding requests to the Wine Alliance, demonstrating the number of worthy programs in Lake County seeking financial assistance.
The recipient organizations will use their grants for these projects:
The Arts: The fine arts education programs at the five Lake County high schools (Clear Lake High, Kelseyville High, Lower Lake High, Middletown High, and Upper Lake High) will share the funds in this category.
Health: the Safe House for Homeless Youths serves youth 15-18 years of age from throughout Lake County; Hospice Services of Lake County provides physical, emotional and spiritual end-of-life support; and the five senior centers (Highlands, Live Oak, Lucerne Alpine, Lakeport, and Middletown) will support their nutrition programs for delivered meals to homebound seniors.
Community: Funds in this category will be shared by the Clear Lake Performing Arts to expand its Youth Music Education program; the Friends of the Lake County Museum to present its docent outreach program to all schools; Team DUI to purchase outreach and educational materials; Konocti Junior Tennis League to continue its operation of the annual Lake County open junior tournament; Operation Tango Mike for shipping fees and package contents for troops deployed to combat zones; and Habitat for Humanity of Lake County for its home repair program for low income residents.
An additional award will go to the three high schools with Future Farmers of America (FFA) programs (Upper Lake, Kelseyville, and Middletown) that develop leadership through agricultural education.
The elegant, black tie-encouraged affair will begin at 5 p.m. and end at 11 p.m.
The LC Diamonds will provide music for dancing.
Live auction excitement will be generated by auctioneers Shaun Hornby of Lakeport and Stephanie Green of Kelseyville. The combination of Hornby and Green resulted in heightened activity at the 2011 Wine Auction held in September at Ceago Vinegarden.
Local wineries, wine grape growers, restaurants, and other businesses and individuals are generous supporters through their donations to the live and silent auctions and to the food and beverages served at the gala affair.
Lake County and regional businesses provide support through sponsorships.
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.
Members of the Wine Alliance board are Kaj Ahlmann, Lower Lake, president; Judy Luchsinger, Lakeport, vice president; Sharron Zoller, Kelseyville, secretary; Rob Roumiguiere, Kelseyville, treasurer; and Marie Beery, Kelseyville, and Bill Groody, Kelseyville.
Tickets are $150 per person and may be reserved at www.winealliance.org or by calling 866-279-WINE.
Sponsorship information is available from Marie Beery, 707-278-0129.