2009 Wine & Dine in Paradise shatters records

The Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation experienced a record-breaking year with its Wine & Dine in Paradise event April 24-25 by raising $713, 560 for children in need. Wine enthusiasts, philanthropists, culinary experts, and celebrity vintners gave of their time, talents and products during the live auction, which ignited the hearts of attendees to raise an incredible $539,865, more than $120,000 than its 2008 live auction.

“Because of the generosity of tonight’s participants, hundreds of children will be saved from devastating circumstances, disease, abuse and neglect,” says Ken Hair, executive director for Children in Crisis, one of the Foundation’s beneficiary charities. “We could not be more excited and humbled at the overwhelming response this audience has shown tonight.”

The live auction bidding frequently topped $10,000 for such items as trips to Burgundy, Belize, Tuscany, and Costa Rica as well as extravagant wine dinners and collections of highly valued and rare bottles of fine wine.

The Wine & Dine in Paradise weekend began with a series of patron dinners with the meals prepared by one of 11 celebrity chefs.

The event’s honorary chair, Dan Kosta of Kosta Browne Winery, has participated in this event every year since its inception in 2006.

“What an unbelievable weekend. My patron dinner was over-the-top and I can’t remember the last time I experienced that much energy and excitement at a live auction. To have this much fun and raise more money than any prior year at the same time, is a wonderful combination. I’m honored to be a part of the Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation,” says Kosta.

On June 9 from 5 to 7 p.m. on the Captain’s Deck at the Emerald Grande, a check-presentation party will be held to officially highlight the eight local charities and present them with the foundations’ contributions.

“I’m speechless. The atmosphere during the auction was absolutely electric which translated into a record-breaking event,” says Todd Vucovich, executive director of the Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation. “The best part is the additional children we’ll be able to help with this money. That’s what it’s all about” he added.

This year’s benefiting charities include: Children in Crisis, Children’s Advocacy Center, Sacred Heart Foundation, Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Children’s Volunteer Health Network, Brilliant Minds, Pathways for Change and Youth Village.

Proceeds from the Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation’s events are distributed to these charities to be used in areas of critical need to improve the lives of children in the community.

For more information, call 650-3732 or visit www.DCWAF.org 

This article was contributed to The Log.