Wine Festival a Success, Raises over $100,000!

A record topping 43 tables were filled with guests on the grounds at Kiwanisland at the 30th Annual Orange County Wine Festival and Benefit Auction. Guests flooded the grounds with hopes to taste new wines, find a new favorite blend, or bid on an auction item, but most importantly support the Boys & Girls Clubs of Garden Grove.

This year the benefit event raised more funds than the previous years. Guests really opened their hearts as well as their pocket books. During the live auction alone, scholarships for members reached almost $13,000. Over 150 wineries were present and there were hundreds of items for the guests to bid on, including trips to Kea Lani and Machu Picchu.

The event receives enormous support from the major sponsors, Pacific Ranch Market, Marbella Market, Outback Steakhouse, Garden Grove Disposal, and Zlaket's Market. New sponsors are growing each year as the event grows more popular. Sponsor support also came in the form of man power through PacifiCare, BGCGG Board, Staff, Family and Friends. "Our employees really love this event," explains Nancy Tonner, who organizes the PacifiCare volunteer sign up. PacifiCare volunteers have worked at the event for over 5 years and always prove to be a great asset.

"This event is special to our organization because it enables us to 'friend-raise' as well as fund raise; it's great to see so many people donate so generously to programs for our kids while having such a great time," states Pat Halberstadt, Chief Professional Officer of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Garden Grove.

All the proceeds from the Festival will go directly to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Garden Grove, whose commitment to providing quality enrichment and educational programs to the youth of central Orange County cannot be topped.

The Boys & Girls Clubs have played an integral role in the Garden Grove community for nearly 50 years, providing daily programs and services to over 2,500 young people. The Clubs are open daily with programs in character and leadership development, education and career enhancement, the arts, health and life skills, and sports, fitness and recreation.

For more information about how you can become a part of next year's 31st Annual Orange County Wine Festival the last weekend of September or for general information about the Boys & Girls Clubs, please call (714) 530-0430 or visit our website's "who we are" section.