San Luis Obispo Wine Country is known for many things: world-class Pinot Noir and Chardonnay to name a few. But in this new-year, SLO Wine Country Association will be known for something else, giving back to the community. The association recently presented a check to Hospice of San Luis Obispo for over $20,000 after successfully raising funds at their recent Rockin’ Harvest event.
SLO Wine Country’s Executive Director, Heather Muran, along with SLO Wine board members Blythe Conaway (Edna Valley Vineyards) and Paula Dooley (Stephen Ross Wine Cellars) presented the check to Kris Kington-Barker, executive director of Hospice of SLO and board members Herb Stroh (Sinsheimer, Juhnke, McIvor & Stroh), and Liz Sommers (Heritage Oaks Bank). “I have to admit, I was a bit nervous after 18 live auction lots, free flowing wine and competitive bidding for exciting packages that our organization would get lost…I couldn’t have been more wrong,” says Kington-Barker. She says the downturn in the economy over the last few years have been rough on the organization, as operations depend solely on donations from the community. “The Rockin Harvest came at a time when every dollar is needed…and exceeded my expectations for fund raising.”
“We really raised the bar this year and came together as a community of winemakers and growers,” says Muran. The events throughout the weekend grossed over $130,000 and raised $21,690 for Hospice of SLO. “The ‘Fund-A-Need’ partnership was incredible. Seeing all those paddles in the air for Hospice, it was difficult to hold back tears. Our community really came together that afternoon,” says Muran.