WA Wines Benefit Raises $1.4+ Million for Camp Korey
The 17th Annual Washington Wines Festival Wine Weekend was recently held at the site of Camp Korey at Carnation Farm, raising more than $1.4 million for its beneficiaries: Camp Korey, The Association of Hole in the Wall Camps and the Washington Wines Education Foundation. More than 300 guests experienced a wide range of premium Washington wines, dined on gourmet fare from some of Seattle’s most renowned chefs and enjoyed a private concert from Grammy-nominated Lisa Loeb as well as a rare opportunity to see country stars Amy Grant and Vince Gill share the stage in an exclusive performance on Saturday night.
One of the highlights of the weekend’s activities was the Saturday afternoon live auction. In addition to bidding on a wide range of wine, food and travel packages, the enthusiastic crowd overwhelmed Camp Korey founders and staff as a “Raise Your Paddle” item raised more than $400,000 directly for Camp Korey, which will open its doors to its very first campers on Monday, July 21st. There is no charge to families for children to attend Camp Korey, but it costs roughly $2500 to send one child to camp for a week. With their generous donations, the weekend’s attendees made it possible for 160 children to attend camp. Tickets are available now for next year’s event to be held July 10-11, 2009 and can be purchased at www.washingttonwinesfestival.com.
“Everyone involved with Camp Korey is so grateful for the outstanding show of support we received for our first major fundraising event,” said event chair Jim Rose. “By spending the weekend with us at Camp Korey, the guests re-connected with the joy and simplicity of summer camp, and their generosity will allow us to share that experience with children with serious illnesses, giving them a place where they can just be kids.”
Camp Korey was founded by Tim Rose, father of the late Korey Rose who passed away in 2004 at the age of 18 after being diagnosed with bone cancer. Camp Korey is currently working with the Association of Hole in the Wall Camps, founded by Paul Newman, to meet the necessary requirements to become a member of the family of camps.