KELSEYVILLE— The Lake County Wine Alliance held its 22nd annual Funds Distribution Night at the Bell Haven Flower Farm and Resort in Kelseyville on Monday, awarding $300,000 in grants to over 30 local organizations as well as all five High Schools and four Future Farmers of America (FFA) programs.
Wine Alliance Treasurer and event host Robert Roumiguiere shared, “This event tonight is the highlight for me.” Introducing members of the board as well as a few of their sponsors during his opening speech Roumiguiere further noted that without the funds raised through the annual Wine Auction (held in September) and through donations from their sponsors, this event would not be possible. Last year the alliance was able to disperse $250,000 in raised funds, increasing it to $300,000 this year, which allowed them to award more organizations. Applications for these grants were due May 1, 2022 allowing the board several months to determine who would benefit most from these funds and also how much each group would be awarded.
Those awarded at the ceremony included the Lake County Symphony Association, Senior Centers, Operation Tango Mike, Lake County Young Life, Lake County Literacy Foundation, and many others. Roumiguiere stated, “This is the first time we’ve given away to this many organizations. There were 41 checks… they varied from from $2,000 to $16,000.” The amount each organization was granted was based on the needs and asks of the individual organization. Five Lake County high schools were also awarded checks at the ceremony as the alliance has a commitment to funding music and arts programs. Roumiguiere said, “The real focus is education and youth. We have committed to the five high school arts programs meaning band, theatre, art, music, choir.” Roumiguiere added, “It has to go to those programs because they’re the ones that get cut first. We have been told over the years some of these programs wouldn’t even exist if it wasn’t for our support.” The alliance hopes that through their support of the High Schools, the entirety of Lake County will not only feel included but be included in this yearly grant program furthering progress for the whole community.
The event was held at the Bell Haven Oaks Pavilion at the Bell Haven Flower Farm and Resort located on Soda Bay Road in Kelseyville. The farm just recently expanded into a resort which, according to their website, “Features six meticulously crafted, quaint cottages designed and furnished for comfort and tranquility.” The event was catered by Rosey Cooks who provided a holiday assortment of deli meats and cheeses, veggies and all kinds of decorated Christmas cookies.
In closing Roumiguiere reminded guests to mark their calendars for next year’s Wine Auction on Sept. 16, 2023 at the Mercantile by Shannon Family in Kelseyville. As the ceremony had concluded in just an hour’s time Roumiguiere joked, “It sure is a lot easier to give away $300,000 than to raise it, that was fun!”
