LAKE COUNTY — The proceeds from the 2007 Lake County Wine Auction were dispersed to various nonprofit organizations in the county Wednesday.
Recipients are divided into three categories; the arts, health and community. $30,000 went to the Fine Arts programs at the five Lake County high schools. For health, Sponsoring Survivorship received $5,000, Adult Day Care/Respite Day Care centers got $12,500 and $12,500 was split between the five senior centers with Meals on Wheels programs, each center receiving $2,500.
Clear Lake High School Principal Steve Gentry said the $6,000 received annually for fine arts programs has been a “great infusion,” helping provide constant money for programs that the school cannot always rely on the state budget to provide.
“Last year the state put a lot of money into performing arts. We received a block grant of over $100,000?But that is unusual, I can”t imagine getting that again with the budget deficit next year of $14 billion. The [wine auction] money always helps our programs. We”re able to buy instruments, kilns, lighting for the new Marge Alaksay Center?things we normally would have to fundraise for,” Gentry said.
Several community organizations received a boost from the fundraiser. Habitat for Humanity received $5,000, Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Lake County and Lake County Community Radio/KPFZ each received $12,500.
The Buckingham Junior Golf Program received $1,500. A total amount of $93,000 is being granted this year to community nonprofit organizations and agencies. With this latest distribution of funds, the Lake County Wine Alliance has contributed $623,002 in proceeds from the auction held annually since 2000.
The charter of the Lake County 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.
At a meeting of Wine Alliance board of directors Wednesday, the date and details of the 2008 Wine Auction were announced. The next auction will be held Saturday, September 20 at 5 p.m. at the Buckingham Golf and Country Club. Congressman Mike Thompson will chair the gala, with assistance from Archie McLaren as auctioneer and Jed Steele as special guest auctioneer.
McLaren, founder and chairman of the Central Coast Wine Classic, made his debut this year at the Wine Auction and said he is “honored to be invited back” to Lake County.
“Steele, owner and winemaker for Steele Wines of Kelseyville, is a favorite wine authority at the event,” Wine Alliance board president Margaret Walker said.
Other special guests and additions to the auction”s schedule will be announced early in 2008.
Now is the time to apply for proceeds from the 2008 auction. Nonprofit organizations and agencies can contact Judy Luchsinger, chair of the Beneficiaries committee via email, judy@isoqed.com, for an application form. The deadline to apply for funds is March 1, 2008.
Contact Elizabeth Wilson at ewilson@record-bee.com
