Realtors host fund-raiser

This year, the the Sierra Nevada Association of Realtors will be splitting the proceeds from its annual Wine and Roses fund-raiser with the the Northern Nevada Make a Wish Foundation and the Northern Nevada Railway Foundation.

During the past eight years, the association has donated more than $200,000 to the Make a Wish Foundation, said association Chief Executive Officer Marilyn Koschella.

Jan Mackenzie, executive director for the children's foundation, said the money given from the association as well as other donors helps them grant about 30 wishes a year and funds their community outreach programs.

"The wishes are limited to a child's imagination," she said. " We never say no to a child as long as it is medically feasible."

"[The foundation's] efforts to get the V&T Railroad up and running have been extremely beneficial to our area," Koschella said.

"In the past eight years we have been so grateful that they have done this especially for us, but we are happy to be in the good company of the railroad museum," she said.

The fund-raiser will be from 6-9 p.m. July 26 at the Governor's Mansion. It will include 30 fine wines, cultivated from wineries throughout Nevada and California, as well as hors d'oeuvres from local restaurants such as Adele's, Bodines, Rancho Grande, Sierra Nevada Golf Ranch and Starbucks.

Also included in the event is a silent auction, featuring two bronze statues and other pieces of artwork, vacations, special theme packages, golf and dinners for two.

Craig Fletcher, a local musician, will play jazz music.

Tickets cost $50 and the association has about 400 to sell.

The Realtors association was created 40 years ago as a nonprofit corporation. They also host a golf tournament in September to raise funds for the Alyce McKracken Memorial Scholarship.

"It gives us a way to give back to the community members," Koschella said. "The community has always been behind us and we feel all our events warrant the attendance of the public."

IF YOU GO

What: An evening of Wine and Roses, hosted by the Sierra Nevada Association of Realtors

Where: Governor's Mansion

When: 6-9 p.m. July 26

Tickets: $50 per person. To purchase, call the Sierra Nevada Association of Realtors at 885-7200.