Wine festivals work fundraising and brandraising magic for these two organizations

By Joe Boland

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego

115 W. Woodward Ave.

Escondido, Calif. 92025

Phone: 1.866.SDYOUTH

Mission (from sdyouth.org): “For 70 years, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego has been a nonprofit organization serving children and youth between the ages of 5 and 18, especially reaching out to kids in need of a safe place to go after school. Through after school programs and day camps during school holidays and the summer, the Boys and Girls Clubs’ purpose is to serve more than 25,000 youth and their families in the greater San Diego region. After school and day camp programs include the arts, recreation, character development and youth sports leagues. The mission of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego is to inspire and enable youth to develop into productive, healthy, caring and responsible citizens.” (sdyouth.org)

We've all heard the studies that claim a glass of wine with dinner is good for your health. As it turns out, injecting a little bit of wine into your organization's special events can be quite good for your fundraising health as well.

At least, that was the case for the Chesapeake Rotary Club and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego in 2010. Both organizations held wine festival fundraisers to bring in considerable donations, and create excitement and buzz for their causes last year.

Chesapeake Rotary Club

P.O. Box 15466

Chesapeake, Va. 23328

Website: chesapeakerotary.org

Mission (from chesapeakerotary.org): “The emphasis of [Chesapeake] Rotary [Club] is on challenging each member to adhere to the ideals of service, not only within our club and our vocations, but throughout our local and international community as well. Through each member, the Chesapeake Rotary Club undertakes a wide variety of service activities:

Sponsorship and active coordination of ‘Paint Your Heart Out Chesapeake,’ PYHOC, a program designed to assist elderly  homeowners with painting the exteriors of their residences and maintenance of their yards. On one Saturday in April, over 1,000 volunteers meet to accomplish this goal. Over 175 homes have been painted since inception of this project that brings individuals, businesses, churches and government agencies together to support those in our community who need the help.
Awarding of college scholarships to graduating high school seniors from each of the city’s high schools.
Providing low interest loans to certain needy students attending college.
Sponsorship of ‘Adopt-A-School,’ at the Thurgood Marshall Primary School, where Rotarians participate in a special reading program and support a summer camp program.” (chesapeakerotary.org)