Lake County >> The 15th annual Lake County Wine Auction will be presented on Saturday at the Cole Creek Equestrian Center in Kelseyville. This major fundraising event benefits nonprofit arts, health services and community organizations throughout Lake County. The sponsoring Lake County Wine Alliance has contributed $1,081,302 in proceeds to Lake County groups since its inception in 2000.
Tickets were expected to reach the sell out mark of 300.
John and Joanne Van Eck, the owners of Cole Creek Equestrian Center, will be the honorary chairs for the 2014 Wine Auction. They will be assisted by an all-volunteer committee, co-chaired by Judy Luchsinger of Lakeport and Sharron Zoller of Kelseyville.
Five high schools, eight youth oriented programs and ten 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,” Wine Alliance President Kaj Ahlmann said. “With our grants, the Wine Alliance is working towards those goals.”
This year”s beneficiaries are: The five comprehensive high schools of Lake County for their arts programs, Catholic Charities for their Food and Benefits Outreach Project, United Christian Parish for their 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, The Lake County Office of Education for their student mock trial team, The Lake Community Pride Foundation for their teen shelter, Lake County Channel Cats, Lower Lake School House Museum for student field trips, The Lake County Literacy Coalition for their adult literacy program, The Lake County Senior Centers for their Meals on Wheels program, Operation Tango Mike for support of our local soldiers overseas and Habitat for Humanity new projects to create affordable housing.
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.
