Winefest raises $3K for Woodland schools

Published By Daily Democrat 10/26/2012 12:31:18 AM PDT

The Woodland Schools Foundation's first Harvest Winefest held on the upper levels of Mojo's Kitchen428 on October 21, drew about 130 people and raised about $3,000, it was reported.

One hundred percent of the profits were to benefit students at Woodland's public schools.

Foundation President Tania Garcia-Cadena recently presented a check for $42,000 to Woodland school trustees, raised through the Country 4 Coaches concert. That money is to be used to help fund coaches' stipends at the middle and high schools, as a means of offsetting cuts to the schools' sports programs.

More recently, the foundation board voted to donate $16,000 to restore four "noon duty" playground supervision positions for one year. The funds will be distributed evenly across all of the elementary schools in the district.

In the past two years, WSF has raised about $70,000 for Woodland public school students. Earlier donations partially restored middle and high school extra duty stipends and funding to the elementary GATE program. Formed by concerned parents, the foundation is entirely staffed by volunteers, so all funds go straight to the students.

Christy Hayes of Mojo's Kitchen428 originally brought the idea for Harvest Winefest to the Woodland Schools Foundation and has volunteered her time to arrange an impressive line-up.

Participating wineries included Bogle Vineyards, Brice Station Winery, Double Decker Wines, Matchbook, Napa Cellars, Pine Ridge Winery, Simas Family Vineyards, Trinity Oaks, Wargin Wines and Wente Vineyards. Anderson Valley Brewing, Sierra Nevada Brewing Company and Sudwerk Brewery are providing beer collections.