Wine celebration announces new nonprofit partner for 2024
by Rigo Aguilera and News Staff –
DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ore. — The Umpqua Valley Winegrowers Association(UVWA) recently announced the nonprofit partner for their Greatest of the Grape event this year.
The Greatest of the Grape event brings together over 18 different Umpqua Valley wineries to determine which winery will win the award for ‘Greatest of the Grape”.
This annual event is hosted by the Umpqua Valley Winegrowers Association(UVWA). Executive Director Ali Rodgers announced the nonprofit partner that will be participating in this year’s event, “It will be the 52nd year of this event which is actually Oregon’s oldest wine celebration and we will be partnering with the Family Development Center(FDC) as our nonprofit recipient for the wheel of wine and there will be a lot of things happening but the biggest part of this event is the wine tasting.”
The “Wheel of Wine” is one way people can show support where participants pay $25.00 to take a spin on the wheel to win a bottle of wine. They are hoping to raise $5,000 for the FDC this year.
The Family Development Center offers support and education services to families experiencing high stress. Their mission is to strengthen families and prevent child abuse and neglect.
FDC Executive Director Marsha LaVerne says funding will help their cause tremendously with plans to put it all back into the services they provide to the community.
“All funds raised will go directly to all the direct services we provide for families and that includes home visiting, it can include some behavioral health support. It includes basic needs so we can provide families with clothes and diapers and food so really it’s a direct service to the ongoing work that we’re doing”.
Last year they teamed up with nonprofit Sleep in Heavenly Peace to bring fundraising that went towards benefiting local children who need new beds to sleep in. https://kval.com/greatest-of-the-grape-benefiting-children-in-need-in-douglas-co
Music and appetizers catered by Seven Feathers will be provided for guests. Visitors will also have the chance to bid on wine-related items in the silent auction and vote for who wins this year’s Greatest of the Grape award.
The event takes place at Seven Feathers Casino Resort in Canyonville on Febuary 3rd from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
To get involved and to buy tickets click here to visit their website.