Lake Family Resource Center Executive Director Gloria Flaherty said the event, held at Mt. Konocti Growers, attracted more than 650 people – 250 more than did last year's event – some coming from as far away as the Washington and Arizona.
Flaherty said Wine and Chocolate was one of the largest single day events, attendance-wise, in Lake County. Lake Family Resource Center estimated the event itself raised between $20,000 and 25,000 this year. The Priest Family Charitable Fund is donating an additional $10,000 to the center's domestic violence center project.
The great weather allowed attendees to sip their wine outside while viewing antique cars and boats on display, said Flaherty. Coordinated by Allen and Donna Thomas, the car and boat show included beautiful Chris Craft Boats, and beautifully restored pickups and roadsters. Jeff Smith’s 1923 pickup filled with Dusinberre wine barrels marked the entrance to the event.
Three workshops proved to be very popular and were filled to capacity, Flaherty reported. Presenters included Chef Zino Mezoui (Zino’s Ristorante & Inn), Sommelier Stephanie Green (Focused on Wine) and Julie Hoskins (Chic Le Chef).
There were many sponsors for the event providing everything from linens to printing, boxed lunches to banners, cash to porta-potties.
Marilyn Holdenried gathered 18 items for a silent auction that raised over $3,000.
“We are so grateful for the support of our Lake County community,” said Flaherty. “Over 35 businesses and industries worked with us to make this event a success and we look forward to 2009. This event showcases Lake County, provides a wonderful mid-winter opportunity to support a good cause, and experience 27 wineries in one location!”
Lake Family Resource Center is preparing to launch a capital campaign to build a 25-bed domestic violence and family resource center for Lake County families, Flaherty reported.
“We expect to have to raise almost $3 million by the time its all said and done,” said Flaherty. “It will be accomplished through public and private grants, local donations and sheer determination.”
The new shelter, she said, will be accessible to all members of the community; it will include a child development center, classrooms, large meeting rooms, family services, and a safe and secure shelter for women and their families fleeing domestic violence.
The need for an adequate domestic violence shelter is high; Flaherty reported that, over the past few years, there have been seven deaths in the county resulting from domestic violence.
In the past year Lake Family Resource Center's Freedom House has provided more than 4,000 bed nights to an average of over 11 women and children every night, the center reported. The current facility is rented, small, and isolated from local services.
The nonprofit agency hopes to keep the construction project as local as possible and encourages representatives from the building trades to get involved.
Sutter Lakeside Hospital provided the land through a 50-year, $1-year lease, and Kelseyville Lumber has pledged to provide the lumber at their cost plus a small 5-percent handling fee, Flaherty reported.
On Tuesday's Board of Supervisors agenda, Lake Family Resource Center is requesting a waiver of all possible fees in the domestic shelter building project.
The center wants to make the third annual event, scheduled for February 2009, even more successful, so planning already is under way, said Lake Family Resource Center’s Board Secretary and Wine and Chocolate Committee Member Kathy Fowler.
“We have a two-year tradition of beautiful weather and we expect that to continue,” said Fowler. “The venue has pledged more space for 2009 and the committee has received some wonderful ideas. We hope to increase our attendance even more!”
If you would like to help with the domestic violence shelter building effort, please call Lake Family Resource Center at 707-262-1611.
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