Greenacres Bike Program receives grant from Sonoma Valley Vintners and Growers Foundation and the Sonoma County Vintners Foundation
Greenacre Homes & School was one of thirty-two non-profits selected to receive a grant from the proceeds from the 2012 Sonoma Wine Country Weekend, an annual 3-day event during Labor Day weekend showcasing the area's incredible bounty of food and wine featuring over 170 wineries and 60 world-class chefs. "With over 2,700 non-profits in Sonoma County, we are honored and humbled for being selected by the Vintners Foundations." commented Greenacre's Executive Director, Benjamin Swenson-Aguirre. The funds will help support the growing Vocational Training School Bike Program.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 1, 2013
Lisa Adams Walter
Record-Breaking Sonoma Wine Country Weekend Revenues Support Local Charities and Economy
Sonoma County Wine Industry Continues Tradition of Generosity, Benefitting Local Non-Profits
(Sonoma, CALIF.) — A total of $483,500 in proceeds from Sonoma Wine Country Weekend, the annual Labor Day Weekend collection of wine and food events jointly produced by the Sonoma County Vintners and the Sonoma Valley Vintners and Growers Alliance, were distributed to thirty-two Sonoma County beneficiaries today at St. Francis Winery and Vineyards in Sonoma Valley.
Two of the primary beneficiaries, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma Valley and Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Sonoma County, received grants that totaled $264,000 raised from the “Fund-A-Need” lot at the 2012 Sonoma Harvest Wine Auction, one of Sonoma Wine Country Weekend’s flagship events. The balance of funds was disbursed through the Sonoma Valley Vintners and Growers Foundation and the Sonoma County Vintners Foundation in small grants to local organizations across Sonoma County, from Petaluma to Geyserville, from Guerneville to Sonoma.
“Our goal is to support local groups that reflect our little towns, and multiply their efforts by supporting those in need while at the same time enriching the lives and neighborhoods of those engaged in helping,” said Dan Goldfield, Sonoma County Vintners Foundation President who chaired their grant program which donated $100,000 to organizations throughout Sonoma County, “The Wine Country Weekend grants don’t reflect the wine community giving anything away, but only doing our best to be involved in the culture that nurtures us, and of which we are a part.”
Sonoma Valley Vintners and Growers Foundation President Paul J. Hoffman, who oversaw the allocation of the organization’s $119,000 fund, said, “This year we were pleased to support even more worthy groups, increasing the total recipient list by 25%. As a result of Sonoma Wine Country Weekend, thirty-two non-profits received funds critical for continuing the services they provide.”
The 2012 charity beneficiaries include: 10,000 Degrees, Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Sonoma County, Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma Valley, Ceres Community Project, Friends in Sonoma Helping, Global Student Embassy, Greenacre Homes & School, Jewish Community Free Clinic, La Luz Center, Operation Access, Parks Alliance for Sonoma County, PDI Surgery Center, Petaluma Health Center, Redwood Empire Aqua Stars, Redwood Empire Food Bank, Sonoma Community Center, Sonoma County Family YMCA, Sonoma Overnight Support, Sonoma Valley Community Health Center, Sonoma Valley Education Foundation, Sonoma Valley High School Agriculture Department, Sonoma Valley Hospital, Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance, Sonoma Valley Museum of Art, Sonoma Valley Teen Services, Sunny Hills Services, SVVGA Scholarship Fund, The Living Room Center, Tomorrow’s Leaders Today, Transcendence Theatre Company, Verity and Willmar Family Grief & Healing Center.
Including the charitable grants, the event generates a total of more than $830,000 that supports the community through local non-profit organizations. Of the event’s $1.7 million gross revenue, organizers noted that with the Sonoma County organizations and businesses used to produce Sonoma Wine Country Weekend, approximately 90% of the total event revenue is returned to the Sonoma County economy. As the tourism dollars generated by the event are added to the equation, Sonoma Wine Country Weekend creates exponentially more impact.
Over the years, the Sonoma Valley Vintners and Growers Foundation and Sonoma County Vintners Foundation have raised a cumulative total of more than $11 million that has been donated directly to Sonoma County’s non-profit organizations. The 2013 Sonoma Wine Country Weekend is set for Labor Day Weekend, August 30 – September 1, 2013.
About 2013 Sonoma Wine Country Weekend Sponsors and Beneficiaries
A partnership between Sonoma Valley Vintners & Growers Alliance and Sonoma County Vintners, Sonoma Wine Country Weekend is California’s premier wine, food and social event, taking place on Labor Day weekend each year. The events comprising Sonoma Wine Country Weekend have raised over $11 million of support to local charities that benefit students, children, farm workers and people in need. For more information visit www.SonomaWineCountryWeekend.com.
About Sonoma Valley Vintners & Growers Alliance and Foundation and Sonoma County Vintners
The Sonoma Valley Vintners & Growers Alliance (SVVGA) is a non-profit trade organization serving over 500 members who share a mission to promote awareness of Sonoma Valley’s grapes, wine, and history as the birthplace of the California wine industry. The Sonoma Valley Vintners and Growers Foundation (SVVGF) is a non-profit 501c.3 organization that has raised over $8,000,000 for local Sonoma Valley charities. For more information on the SVVGA and SVVGF, please visit www.SonomaValleyWine.com.
Sonoma County Vintners (SCV) is the leading voice of Sonoma County wine, dedicated to raising awareness of Sonoma County as one of the world’s premier wine regions, noted for its heritage of artisan winemaking, distinct growing regions, and extraordinary quality. Founded in 1944, SCV represents more than 200 wineries and affiliated business throughout the county. Learn more about SCV at www.SonomaWine.com.
Greenacre Homes & School was one of thirty-two non-profits selected to receive a grant from the proceeds from the 2012 Sonoma Wine Country Weekend, an annual 3-day event during Labor Day weekend showcasing the area's incredible bounty of food and wine featuring over 170 wineries and 60 world-class chefs. "With over 2,700 non-profits in Sonoma County, we are honored and humbled for being selected by the Vintners Foundations." commented Greenacre's Executive Director, Benjamin Swenson-Aguirre. The funds will help support the growing Vocational Training School Bike Program.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 1, 2013
Lisa Adams Walter
Record-Breaking Sonoma Wine Country Weekend Revenues Support Local Charities and Economy
Sonoma County Wine Industry Continues Tradition of Generosity, Benefitting Local Non-Profits
(Sonoma, CALIF.) — A total of $483,500 in proceeds from Sonoma Wine Country Weekend, the annual Labor Day Weekend collection of wine and food events jointly produced by the Sonoma County Vintners and the Sonoma Valley Vintners and Growers Alliance, were distributed to thirty-two Sonoma County beneficiaries today at St. Francis Winery and Vineyards in Sonoma Valley.
Two of the primary beneficiaries, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma Valley and Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Sonoma County, received grants that totaled $264,000 raised from the “Fund-A-Need” lot at the 2012 Sonoma Harvest Wine Auction, one of Sonoma Wine Country Weekend’s flagship events. The balance of funds was disbursed through the Sonoma Valley Vintners and Growers Foundation and the Sonoma County Vintners Foundation in small grants to local organizations across Sonoma County, from Petaluma to Geyserville, from Guerneville to Sonoma.
“Our goal is to support local groups that reflect our little towns, and multiply their efforts by supporting those in need while at the same time enriching the lives and neighborhoods of those engaged in helping,” said Dan Goldfield, Sonoma County Vintners Foundation President who chaired their grant program which donated $100,000 to organizations throughout Sonoma County, “The Wine Country Weekend grants don’t reflect the wine community giving anything away, but only doing our best to be involved in the culture that nurtures us, and of which we are a part.”
Sonoma Valley Vintners and Growers Foundation President Paul J. Hoffman, who oversaw the allocation of the organization’s $119,000 fund, said, “This year we were pleased to support even more worthy groups, increasing the total recipient list by 25%. As a result of Sonoma Wine Country Weekend, thirty-two non-profits received funds critical for continuing the services they provide.”
The 2012 charity beneficiaries include: 10,000 Degrees, Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Sonoma County, Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma Valley, Ceres Community Project, Friends in Sonoma Helping, Global Student Embassy, Greenacre Homes & School, Jewish Community Free Clinic, La Luz Center, Operation Access, Parks Alliance for Sonoma County, PDI Surgery Center, Petaluma Health Center, Redwood Empire Aqua Stars, Redwood Empire Food Bank, Sonoma Community Center, Sonoma County Family YMCA, Sonoma Overnight Support, Sonoma Valley Community Health Center, Sonoma Valley Education Foundation, Sonoma Valley High School Agriculture Department, Sonoma Valley Hospital, Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance, Sonoma Valley Museum of Art, Sonoma Valley Teen Services, Sunny Hills Services, SVVGA Scholarship Fund, The Living Room Center, Tomorrow’s Leaders Today, Transcendence Theatre Company, Verity and Willmar Family Grief & Healing Center.
Including the charitable grants, the event generates a total of more than $830,000 that supports the community through local non-profit organizations. Of the event’s $1.7 million gross revenue, organizers noted that with the Sonoma County organizations and businesses used to produce Sonoma Wine Country Weekend, approximately 90% of the total event revenue is returned to the Sonoma County economy. As the tourism dollars generated by the event are added to the equation, Sonoma Wine Country Weekend creates exponentially more impact.
Over the years, the Sonoma Valley Vintners and Growers Foundation and Sonoma County Vintners Foundation have raised a cumulative total of more than $11 million that has been donated directly to Sonoma County’s non-profit organizations. The 2013 Sonoma Wine Country Weekend is set for Labor Day Weekend, August 30 – September 1, 2013.
About 2013 Sonoma Wine Country Weekend Sponsors and Beneficiaries
A partnership between Sonoma Valley Vintners & Growers Alliance and Sonoma County Vintners, Sonoma Wine Country Weekend is California’s premier wine, food and social event, taking place on Labor Day weekend each year. The events comprising Sonoma Wine Country Weekend have raised over $11 million of support to local charities that benefit students, children, farm workers and people in need. For more information visit www.SonomaWineCountryWeekend.com.
About Sonoma Valley Vintners & Growers Alliance and Foundation and Sonoma County Vintners
The Sonoma Valley Vintners & Growers Alliance (SVVGA) is a non-profit trade organization serving over 500 members who share a mission to promote awareness of Sonoma Valley’s grapes, wine, and history as the birthplace of the California wine industry. The Sonoma Valley Vintners and Growers Foundation (SVVGF) is a non-profit 501c.3 organization that has raised over $8,000,000 for local Sonoma Valley charities. For more information on the SVVGA and SVVGF, please visit www.SonomaValleyWine.com.
Sonoma County Vintners (SCV) is the leading voice of Sonoma County wine, dedicated to raising awareness of Sonoma County as one of the world’s premier wine regions, noted for its heritage of artisan winemaking, distinct growing regions, and extraordinary quality. Founded in 1944, SCV represents more than 200 wineries and affiliated business throughout the county. Learn more about SCV at www.SonomaWine.com.
