Community Grant will help rebuild school lost in the Tubbs Fire in 2017
Santa Rosa, CA (May 23, 2019) – On May 22, 2019 Sonoma County Vintners Foundation presented Mark West Community Preschool with a $25,000 grant at a check presentation ceremony to support rebuilding the school, after it was lost in the Tubbs Fire in 2017.
“We at the Sonoma County Vintners Foundation, and the Sonoma County wine community are honored to support Mark West Community Preschool,” said Michael Haney, Sonoma County Vintners Executive Director. “After touring the school’s temporary facility and seeing what the school has meant to the children, parents and teachers, we knew that helping Mark West Preschool was of utmost importance for this community.”
The new school will be made of steel and fire resistant materials and will serve as a model building for the community. The building is planned to be energy efficient, solar powered and complete with rainwater catchment systems, heated flooring and ample natural light. The glass walls, windows and skylights will allow children to bring the beauty of the outdoors inside. The new school is scheduled to reopen in June 2020.
The Proceeds Matter
“The generous donation gives us hope that we can rebuild our school,” said Renee Whitlock-Hemsouvanh, of Mark West Community Preschool. “Losing this special place has been so difficult. Knowing that an organization like the Sonoma County Vintners Foundation cares about children and families gives us hope and solidifies our commitment to the community. The state of Early Childhood Education in Sonoma County is in crisis and it is imperative that we reopen for the future of young children throughout the community.”
The Sonoma County Vintners Foundation Community Grants program targets: literacy, education, health and human services, the environment and arts and culture. For 2018, the foundation added fire relief efforts as one of their focus areas. This grant is part of Sonoma County Vintners Foundation’s continued commitment to Sonoma County’s charitable nonprofits.
The Sonoma County Vintners Foundation partners with the Community Foundation Sonoma County on their community grants program. The Community Foundation Sonoma County has served as a hub of philanthropy for the county for over 30 years.
To learn more about the Sonoma County Vintners Foundation, please visit: SonomaWine.com/Foundation.
About Sonoma County Vintners Foundation
The Sonoma County Vintners Foundation provides support to our local community through philanthropy and charitable giving. Our fundraising efforts have a direct impact in the areas of literacy, education, health and human services, the environment and arts and culture. Our signature fundraising event, Sonoma County Wine Auction has been recognized as one of Wine Spectator’s Top Charity Wine Auctions in the United States. Learn more at SonomaWine.com/Foundation.
