Food, wine event raises nearly $500,000 for KIDS Center
KIDS Center, Central Oregon’s only child abuse intervention center, dedicated to the prevention, evaluation, and treatment of child abuse, is pleased to announce achievements stemming from the Cork & Barrel 2017 wine and food event fundraising series, a benefit for the non-profit organization.
Over the course of three days focused on wine, food, and philanthropy, Cork & Barrel 2017 raised nearly $500,000 in net funds. “These funds represent approximately 20% of KIDS Center’s annual operating budget and continue to make vital services available, at no cost, so that families can focus on their child’s healing” says Justin Phillips, the Board Chair of KIDS Center.
KIDS Center’s Executive Director, Shelly Smith, highlights the positive impact the Cork & Barrel fundraising series has on the local community. “The trauma associated with child abuse can be devastating for many families. The vital proceeds from Cork & Barrel provide the necessary assessments, therapy, and long-term support that empowers children and families to heal after abuse occurs” says Smith.
This year, Cork and Barrel brought together 17 wineries from throughout the Pacific Northwest to Bend. This year marked the first time a Guest Chef/Restaurant from outside of Central Oregon was featured at the Grand Cru gala fundraising dinner – Executive Chef, John Eisenhart, of Nel Centro restaurant in Portland prepared fennel-roasted sturgeon for 400 dinner guests on the last evening of Cork & Barrel 2017.
At the end of the Grand Cru gala fundraiser on July 22 , Cork & Barrel unveiled the 2018 wine region that will be showcased July 19 -21, 2018 during next year’s fundraising event series – wineries from Sonoma County in California will travel to Central Oregon for an evening of winemaker dinners on July 19 , 2018; A Sip of Cork & Barrel on July 20 , 2018; and the winemaker reception and Grand Cru gala fundraiser on July 21 , 2018. Cork & Barrel 2018 will be held at Broken Top Club in Bend.
“We have partnered with Sonoma Wine, a winery marketing alliance who represents upwards of 300 wineries in Sonoma County, to help us recruit wineries for Cork & Barrel 2018…we are ecstatic with the enthusiasm of the wineries from Sonoma and have nearly fulfilled our 2018 winery partnerships” Smith relays.
Cork & Barrel 2017 had a record number of volunteer positions fulfilled, an indicator of “the level of commitment people in the Central Oregon community have for KIDS Center. Our volunteers love supporting the services provided by KIDS Center and we are honored to have had almost 200 volunteers at the 2017 event series” Smith says.
