Treasure Coast Wine Festival Beneficiaries Earmark Profits From 2008 Event

The 2008 Treasure Coast Wine Festival (TCWF) was held in February with financial goals surpassing all expectations. Compared to the most recent wine festival held in 2006, the proceeds donated back to the community more than doubled. The three leading beneficiaries received $105,000 each.

"The TCWF has enhanced the Visiting Nurse Association's (VNA) ability to continue to provide charitable care and services to our most disadvantaged residents in the community" stated Ann Marie McCrystal, Chairman Foundation of the VNA/Hospice, one of the Festival beneficiaries. "Our donation will support home health, hospice care, and community wellness services for our patients and their families in Indian River County who cannot afford the care and support they need."

According to Jan Donlan, Indian River Medical Center (IRMC) Foundation Executive Director, "The IRMC Foundation is very grateful to the dedicated volunteers, generous donors and sponsors who have made the TCWF a great success. Proceeds from the Festival and other Foundation events are used collectively to assist with the purchase of new and upgraded technology for IRMC. Many of the life saving advances at our hospital are made possible through the support of contributions such as this to the Foundation."

The third major beneficiary was the Vero Beach Museum of Art, who like IRMC Foundation and the VNA/Hospice, also received $105,000. The gift was earmarked for support of their educational mission. "We are most grateful to be a beneficiary of the Treasure Coast Wine Festival," noted Dr. Lucinda H. Gedeon, Director and CEO of the Vero Beach Museum of Art. "Its support of not-for-profit institutions which provide health care, social services and cultural and educational programs to our community is laudatory."

Two additional local charities, Quail Valley Charities, Inc. and Children's Home Society, received a portion of the Auction profits based on a percentage of the highest bids made at the Saturday evening live Wine Auction. Quail Valley Charities, Inc. received $8,500 which is earmarked for scholarships for Children/Education in Indian River County and the Children's Home Society received $26,250 to help defray the costs of their programs and services.

The Wine Festival Board of Directors is reviewing the expansion of beneficiaries for the 2009 event which will be held from January 22-25 in Vero Beach. While an official naming of beneficiaries will be made in early fall, it will be in keeping to their mission to support health care, social services and education programs in Indian River County in order to make a positive difference in the lives of families and children. Its purpose is exclusively charitable. For ore information, please visit www.treasurecoastwinefestival.com or call Meredith at 772-794-9386