VIENNA - About 100 people from around the area enjoyed wines from around the world during the first Cause 2 Wine benefiting SW Resources on Saturday.
The event at the Parkersburg Country Club included more than 70 wines from nine different regions of the Earth
Inger Mendoza, of The Wine Basket, said the event is a way for the community to help the nonprofit rehabilitation facility that provides employment opportunities to those with disabilities.
Article Photos
Photo by Jolene Craig
Janet Loftus, left, a certified wine educator from Cleveland, pours wine for Parkersburg resident Lauren Wintzinger, right, as Jeff Hartshorn, of Elizabeth, looks on Saturday during the Cause 2 Wine benefiting SW Resources.
"It is a wonderful opportunity for the community to help SW Resources and see what great services they provide," she said.
The Wine Basket of Vienna coordinated the event with Community Bank as a corporate sponsor.
More than 100 tickets were sold for the event, which was originally planned for June 30, but had to be moved back following the storms that knocked out power all across the area the evening before.
"We are so thankful people still came after the plans were changed and decided the event and the cause was worth being here for," Mendoza said.
Tickets included a 1-ounce sampling of wines from Spain, France, Italy, Australia/New Zealand, the United States, South Africa, Germany, Chile and Argentina. Guests were encouraged to discuss and ask questions about the wines.
"This event is for everyone, whether you are a wine connoisseur, a beginner, just interested in learning more about wines and sampling different types or just want to support a really good cause," said certified wine educator Janet Loftus, who joined the event from Cleveland.
"I thought the cause was important and decided to give my time to this event," Loftus said. "To just be a part of this is great."
Ben Summers, with SW Resources, said the organizers of Cause 2 Wine have been very involved in fundraising events for SW Resources in the past and the organization is happy to have them help.
"This wine event is a good example of one of our supporters going the extra mile," he added.
Without the support of community businesses, SW Resources would not be able to provide the quality services it does for client/employees. The organization is planning to use the funds raised by Saturday's event, in conjunction with the annual auction, to continue providing rehabilitation and employment services to its client/employees.
The Wine Basket, which recently expanded to offer specialty beers, hopes to sponsor a beer-sampling benefit in October with the proceeds also going to SW Resources.
