This is the third year friends of ours have hosted Brown Bag for a Cause: a wine tasting event that raises money for Make a Wish Foundation. If you ever think you can’t make a difference, you can. Angela and Jeff Dittoe certainly found a fun, creative way to gather friends and raise money for a really special cause. Here’s what I’ve learned from Angela and Jeff- you don’t have to be a big corporation or nonprofit to host a fundraiser- any of us can do it! Angela and Jeff have big hearts and it shows.
Brown Bag works by everyone bringing two bottles of a favorite wine. The host bags them and tags them. Then, the guests taste them, buy tickets, and vote for their favorites. The winner of the best loved white and red wines win bragging rites and a nice bottle to take home. It’s interesting because there are wine aficionados there, but you don’t have to know a lot about wine to enjoy. And, all the taste testing is secret- thus the brown bags. The purchase of all tickets goes straight to charity.
There are also incredible gift baskets up for raffle. As a nondrinker, this is my favorite part. These baskets, which have been donated, are amazing. This year there was a White Wine Basket, Red Wine Basket, Summer Reading Basket, Fragrance Basket, and Cracker Barrel Basket. And when I say basket, I mean huge baskets with gift cards and several stellar items in each. For these, you buy as many raffle tickets as you wish, and put your tickets in the designated baskets. Again, all proceeds go to Make a Wish. Beautiful idea. Although, I might have to stalk the guy (I see you Mitch) who beat me out of the summer reading basket!
Live music, good food, drinks, making new friends, and raising money for kids who need a little extra hope….I can’t think of a better way to spend a Friday night!
Angela and Jeff’s goal? Make some dreams come true! This is truly my kind of experience. I feel encouraged and inspired. Seriously, such a good time!
GO THERE (Local charity event)! TRY THAT (Host your own charity event)!
2 Comments
Judith Billing
May 16, 2015 at 7:48 amThis is wonderful
Beth
May 16, 2015 at 8:32 pmWhat an awesome fundraiser and experience!