LAKE COUNTY — Gathering at the Saw Shop Gallery Bistro in Kelseyville, more than 50 representatives of the beneficiary organizations joined with major sponsors, Wine Alliance board members and Wine Auction committee members to celebrate receiving funds, which will augment budgets that have been severely impacted by the recent economic downturn.
Master of ceremonies, Rob Roumiguiere said, “It”s amazing how the community steps up during hard times to support the rest of the community. That”s what a community like Lake County is all about.”
The board of directors of the Lake County Wine Alliance distributed $60,100 to 17 nonprofit organizations, agencies and high schools from the proceeds of the 11th annual Lake County Wine Auction held in September at Ceago Vinegarden in Nice.
Auctioneer Peter Ventura attributed a great deal of the success of the event to the venue, the auction lots and the bidders.
Roumiguiere credited Marie Beery and Margaret Walker-Stimmel for making the concept of this event a reality more than a decade ago.
“Marie and Margaret came up with this idea a long time ago. They were the visionaries to make this happen,” Roumiguiere said. “But they always remain behind the scenes until I actually point them out.”
With this latest distribution of funds, the all-volunteer Lake County Wine Alliance has contributed $831,765 in proceeds from the annual Wine Auction since its inception in 2000.
Proceeds annually include ticket sales, donations from sponsorships, live and silent auction income, additional funds raised at the event through admittance to a special tasting of reserve wines and sales of a fine art poster by artist John R. Clarke commemorating the event.
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.
President/CEO of Mendo Lake Credit Union, Richard Cooper said he was proud to sponsor the event. Mendo Lake Credit Union was the corporate sponsor and wine glass sponsor for the wine auction.
“It”s such a wonderful thing, the variety of charities benefiting from the event. We”re glad to make the contribution knowing it goes as far as it does,” Cooper said.
Each category of funding ? the arts, health and community ? was allocated a designated amount of funds to be shared amongst the recipients.
Arts: ($20,000) Each of the five high schools in Lake County ? Clear Lake, Kelseyville, Lower Lake, Middletown, and Upper Lake ? received $4,000 for their fine and performing arts programs.
Tom Aiken, retired Kelseyville High School music teacher who joined the core cadre of the wine auction committee and organized all the volunteers from the beneficiary groups, said he “knows extremely well the value of the donation to the fine arts and performing arts programs at the local high schools.”
Health: ($20,100) Each of the organizations in this category received $6,700: Hilltop Recovery Services; the emergency department at St. Helena Hospital Clearlake; and the Lake County Children”s Dental Disease Prevention Program.
Executive Director of Hilltop Recovery Services, Lori Carter-Runyon said, “It”s much needed. We have people on the list needing treatment as early as tomorrow. This will save lives.”
Community: ($20,000) The Lake County Channel Cats were given $1,500; Operation Tango Mike received $3,500; the Lake County Community Action Agency/Safe House and the Friends of the Lake County Library each received $5,000. Each of the five senior centers with Meals-On-Wheels programs ? Highlands Senior Center, Lakeport Senior Activity Center, Live Oak Seniors, Lucerne Alpine Senior Center, and Middletown Senior Center ? received $1,000.
Highlands Senior Center Director, Linda Burton said she thinks it”s wonderful to have this support of the senior programs. “We need it more than ever before,” she said.
Pat Grabham from Live Oak Senior Center said, “Any money is helpful and it”s nice that the community recognizes the needs of seniors.”
The 12th annual Lake County Wine Auction will be held on Sept. 17, at Ceago Vinegarden. The 11th annual event sold out in record time. Ventura, a member of the Mondavi family of Napa Valley, said “volunteers set everything up beautifully, it was perfect.”
“The quality of the food really got me. It was up there and James (Jim Fetzer) and crew did a great job,” Ventura said.
Applications for funding are available online at www.winealliance.org or from Judy Luchsinger, chair of the beneficiaries committee, at judy@isoqed.com. Applications must be returned via e-mail or postmarked by March 1, 2011.
Members of the Wine Alliance board of directors are Margaret Walker-Stimmel, president; Marie Beery, vice president; Pamela Shine-Duncan, secretary; Rob Roumiguiere, treasurer; and Kaj Ahlmann, Judy Luchsinger, Wilda Shock, and Janet Thompson.
The Lake County Wine Alliance may be contacted by phone, 866-279-WINE, or by mail to P.O. Box 530, Kelseyville 95451.
