Kelseyville, Calif., September 18, 2015 – In response to the devastating Valley Fire, three leading organizations that represent wineries and vineyard owners in Lake County have announced plans to lead a fundraising drive – #LakeCountyRising – to help those affected by the Valley Fire. The organizations include Lake County Winegrape Commission, Lake County Winery Association, and Lake County Wine Alliance. The Wine Alliance, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, will manage the collection and distribution of tax-deductible donations to support rebuilding efforts focused on livelihood, housing and community needs. For information on how to support this important cause, go to www.facebook.com/LakeCountyRising or follow Twitter hashtag, #LakeCountyRising.
“When tragedies strike, our community comes together,” said Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-5). “This is one of the worst fires in California’s history, but it’s shown the absolute best of Lake County. We face a long and slow road to recovery, but we will get there together with the generous support of groups like the Lake County Winegrape Commission, Lake County Winery Association, and Lake County Wine Alliance. Lake County will rise, and we will reinvigorate this great community that we all love so much.”
“Lake County is a tight-knit rural agricultural community that has been hit hard by recent wildfires,” said Debra Sommerfield, president of the Lake County Winegrape Commission. “As members of this community, Lake County vintners and winegrowers are deeply saddened by the terrible fires and losses the fires have created for our friends, our neighbors and our employees.”
“We know it will take a massive amount of work, energy and money to restore and renew the lives of those who have been affected,” said Terry Dereniuk, Executive Director of the Lake County Winery Association. “We are fully committed to supporting efforts to stabilize our community as we move forward to revitalize Lake County.”
“As a partner in this effort, the Lake County Wine Alliance brings a 15-year track record of raising a substantial amount of money and getting it to organizations that will do the most good,” said Bill Groody, Wine Alliance Marketing Director.
#LakeCountyRising aims to raise significant funds over the coming weeks and months to help members of the Lake County community cope, adjust, and rebuild after the Valley Fire. #LakeCountyRising will work with local organizations and government agencies to identify the most pressing community needs.
How to Donate
Individuals and businesses who would like to support this effort can do so by visiting the Lake County Rising page on Facebook and making a donation online. Checks can be sent to:
Lake County Wine Alliance
P.O. Box 530
Kelseyville, CA 95451
Make checks payable to Lake County Wine Alliance, memo “Lake County Fire Relief Fund.”
Lake County Crush District 2 Winegrape Commission
3865 Main Street, Kelseyville, CA 95451
(707) 279-2633
www.lakecountywinegrape.org
Lake County Winery Association
P.O. Box 1474, Kelseyville, CA 95451
(707) 357-5237
www.lakecountywineries.org
Lake County Wine Alliance
P.O. Box 530, Kelseyville, CA 95451
(707) 279-9463
www.winealliance.org
