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VWS IMAGERY FUNDRAISER 2008 Huge Success!!
The VWS Fundraiser held on July 24, 2008 and hosted by the Benziger Family at Imagery Winery was a huge success attended by Vineyard Workers, Vintners and Growers, and VWS supporters. With the help of Mike and Mary Benziger and the rest of the Benziger Family VWS was able to raise over $25,000. Food was provided by the Red Grape and over thirty local businesses provided items for the silent auction. READ MOREVWS IMAGERY FUNDRAISER 2008
The VWS Fundraiser held on July 24, 2008 and hosted by the Benziger Family at Imagery Winery was a huge success attended by Vineyard Workers, Vintners and Growers, and VWS supporters. With the help of Mike and Mary Benziger and the rest of the Benziger Family VWS was able to raise over $25,000. Food was provided by the Red Grape and over thirty local businesses provided items for the silent auction.
Local supporters were honored as well as those that helped contribute to the founding and sustaining of Vineyard Workers Services. Among the honorees was Will Reeves, who founded the event three years ago as part of his senior high school project at Cardinal Newman High School and Sam Morphy, owner of the Red Grape for their contributions each year to the event. "A welcomed site at the start of the event was Sam and his staff bringing in stacks of Pizza and food, which our guests always rave about," stated Elizabeth Kemp, Board President of Vineyard Workers Services. Sam Morphy, Will Reeves as well as VWS supporters Mary Ann Carr, Peter Wellington, Ligia Booker, Vadasz Family Foundation, St Leo's Church and Tito and Janet Sasaki each received recognitions from local representatives, U.S. Congressman Mike Thompson and State Senator Patricia Wiggins.
Here is what Mike Benziger had to say about his participation and why he supports the vineyard workers of Sonoma Valley. "Throughout the growing season—and especially as harvest approaches—we’re reminded that we couldn’t farm the way we do without our skilled vineyard teams and seasonal workers. I’ve had the pleasure of working with some of them for more than 20 years, and their connection to the vineyard, nature and wine continues to inspire me."
Funds raised by this event and throughout the year will help provide the following services:
Camp Housing: The sponsoring of housing for vineyard workers and the costs of providing meals. There are two camps opening in August.
Dental Care: On July 25th VWS, in partnership with Migrant Education, VWS provided workers with free dental check-ups, dental care information (in Spanish) and products at their Resource Center.
Health Check-ups and English Courses: Through their partnership with St. Josephs Hospital in Santa Rosa, VWS hosts their mobile clinic each harvest, which provides free health check-ups to all vineyard workers at the VWS Agua Caliente Site. VWS will also hold English classes at their Agua Caliente site.
GED Courses: In partnership with Migrant Education and Mendocino College, VWS will hold classes and tutoring sessions for agricultural workers who wish to pursue a General Equivalency Degree. Classes are held throughout the year in Spanish. Students are provided with supplies and eye exams if needed.
To consider supporting VWS and the hardworking men, women and families who come to our Valley each harvest, as well as those who have made Sonoma Valley their home please click here
To find out more about the fundraiser and sponsorship opportunities,
please contact: Kenneth Ramirez, executive director of Vineyard Workers Services
707-933-0897
VWS thanks all its supporters for their tireless efforts, ensuring that the Vineyard Workers of Sonoma Valley and their families have the services they need. Mike and Mary Benziger, Benziger Family Winery, Vadasz Family Foundation, Sonoma Valley Vintners and Growers Alliance, Charles Schwab Cup Championship, Rural Community Assistance Corporation, Robledo Family, Winery, Tom and Marcy Smothers, Sonoma Valley Fund, Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund, Glad Bags,
St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church, Walsh Vineyard Management, Wine Country Marathon, Heart of Sonoma Valley, Hughes Family Vineyards, Wellington Winery, The Red Grape, Ben Franklin Framing of Napa, Lasseter Foundation, B.R. Cohn Winery, St. Leo’s Catholic Church, Tito & Janet Sasaki.
A special thank you to all the Vintners and Growers that have
contributed to VWS over the 2008 year and also to numerous individual
donors that are a constant source of support.
VWS IMAGERY ESTATE WINERY EVENT FUNDRAISER 2008
VINEYARD WORKERS SUPPORTERS DON'T MISS THIS GALA EVENT FUNDRAISER!
THURSDAY, JULY 24, 2008
The harvest will be early this year so please support our efforts to house just over 60 Vineyard Workers beginning August 1, 2008. Please join the Benziger Family as we recognize the Vineyard Workers of Sonoma Valley and their contributions to our wine industry.
Date/Fecha: Thursday, July 24, 2008
Place/Lugar:
Imagery Estate Winery
14335 Hwy 12
Sonoma, CA 95476
View website
Time/Hora: 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Tickets/Boletos: $45.00
To RSVP call or email Maricarmen Reyes
Phone: 933-0897, Fax: 933-0810, Email: reyesvws@yahoo.com
If you would like to support but can't make it, you can support by going to our DONATIONS page.
or Click Here for Donation Form.
All donations will go directly to VWS programs including:
- VWS Academic Scholarships
- VWS La Posada Migrant Camps
- VWS GED Program
- VWS Health Services
HEALTHY WORKERS HEALTHY WINE!
"DineAround" Event To help Vineyard Workers
Event May 21, 2008.
It's Official! Gavin Newsom, Mayor of the City and County of San Francisco
Has proclaimed that May 21, 2008 is Vineyard Workers Services Day in San Francisco!!
Every year a dedicated group of hardworking individuals spread across our valley to harvest by hand the grapes for our world class wines. Vineyard Workers Services is asking you to dine out on Wednesday, May 21 to help provide housing, meals, medical care and more throughout the year and especially during the harvest
Local restaurants participating in "DineAround" will donate part of their proceeds from the evening to Vineyard Workers Services, including Della Santina's, Santes, Deuce, El Dorado Kitchen, the girl & the fig, Harvest Moon, Meritage, The Plaza Bistro, Sunflower Cafe, Swiss Hotel, Cafe La Haye, Carneros Bistro, Taqueria La Hacienda and Mary's Pizza Shack (Special Flyer Required For Marys). Please call 933-0897 if you have any questions.
A VWS Board member will greet guests at each restaurant.