Catalina Wine Festival raises more than $21,000

The photo above features Young’s Market Co., responsible for 90 percent of the Catalina Island Wine Mixer wineries. Pictured from left to right are Marcelino Cosio, Janet DeMyer, and Jeffrey Myers. Suzane Vasu is an islander who, though she has moved to Newport Beach, is an active and major supporter of the CIWF, pictured with her husband Vic. Bertha Frantz will be president in 2019, pictured with current president Janeece Lowder. Courtesy photo

The 2018 Catalina Island Women’s Forum Wine Festival was a true delight for all who attended and a heap of praise and gratitude is deserved by the many volunteers who pulled together to make it happen.

Over $21,000 was brought in with ticket sales and silent auction bidding. Special thanks to Edison International and our local Southern California Edison team for the $5000 Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Grant for the third consecutive year! In the months preceding, members of the Women’s Forum were hard at work soliciting cash donations and items for our silent auction. Our sponsors added over $3500 in cash donations to the 2019 scholarship fund. All the event proceeds will directly benefit the graduating seniors who apply for and earn the various endowments and grants made possible through the CIWF.

The Catalina Island Women’s Forum would like to thank all the donors who contributed the minimum cash value of their designated sponsor level or double the value with in-kind items.

Our sincere appreciation to the Cellar Club Sponsors with donations exceeding $500: Catalina Divers Supply, Catalina Express, Catalina Island Company, Catalina Film Institute, Hotel Metropole, Image By Elise, Island Water Charters, Island Spa Catalina, The Vasu Team – Suzanne Vasu, and Zest Catering.

Thank you to all our Vintner Club Sponsors who contributed over $250: the Avalon Hotel, Brown’s Bikes, Ciao Baci, Luau Larry’s, the Pizza Port Brewing Company and Roclord Studio in Pasadena.

Every dollar counts and the CIWF with the Class of 2019 thanks the Classic Club Sponsors for their donations over $100: Afishinado’s, Avalon Boat Stand, Avalon Harbor Department, Catalina Business Services, Catalina Food Tours, Catalina Island Chamber, Catalina Island Medical Center Foundation, Chet’s Hardware, Diving Catalina, Elise and David Swain, Island Fire Extinguisher, Island Rentals, Kelly Brennan – State Farm Insurance, Lobster Trap, Maggie’s Blue Rose, Marlin Club, Moonstone Office & Storage, Northwind Refrigeration, Overlook Hall, Richard and Sue Ponce, Steamer Trunk, and Steve’s Steak House. Thanks also go out to our community partners who give so much to our town including the Avalon Art Association, CHOICES, City of Avalon, and LA County Sheriff’s Department.

Without our wineries and distributors this event would not exist as it does today! Sincere appreciation to Young’s Market Co., The Estates Group, Marcelino Cosio, Trinchero Family Estates, St. Supery, Hope Family Wines, Cape Classics, Klinker Brick Winery, Matchbook, A to Z Wines, Purple Wine Co., Old Bridge Cellars, Gainey Winery, Fallbrook Winery, Rusack Vineyards, PRP Wine International, and again special thanks to the Catalina Express, Angela Puchala and Guadalupe Rodriguez and the Catalina Islander.

Lastly, we want to honor all the individuals and businesses who contributed the amazing items and gift certificates for our silent auction. To every member of the Catalina Island Women’s Forum who contributed in their own way to make this event so special, your tenacity and effort is forever appreciated. Special thanks to the following for donating to our silent auction: Bluewater Grill Catalina, Island Conservancy, CC Deli, Catalina Pottery Bath and Body, Cafe Metropole, Chuck Liddell, Coney Island, Descanso Beach Ocean Sports, DC 3 Gifts and Grill, Denise Motter, Gina Ciccone, High Tide Trades, Island Breeze Spa & Salon, Island Threadz, Jen Dreizehn, Kris Gage, Laura Vandezande Lloyd’s of Avalon, Leo’s Catalina Drug Store, Lesly Lieberman, Marina Belsito, PurposeJewelry.org, Ruth Myers Gallery, Seaport Bistro, Sue D’Alessio, Tour Catalina, Trecia Edwards, Two’s Company, and the Wetspot!

If you would like to make a tax-deductible contribution to the Catalina Island Women’s Forum please mail a check to: CIWF PO Box 1377 Avalon, CA 90704 or call 323-686-CIWF for other options.