Winter wine fund-raiser a success

The Winter Wine & All That Jazz fund-raiser for the Carson Advocates for Cancer Care on Saturday night was a success, according to organizers.

"We had a goal to raise $40,000 and, from what I can see so far, we are going to meet that goal," said Jon Coats, Executive Director of the Advocates.

The ninth-annual event is the major fund-raiser for the group, which helps cancer patients pay for treatment.

"All proceeds go directly to local cancer patients," said Coats, himself a two-year survivor.

About 600 people crowded into the upstairs banquet hall of the Carson Nugget Casino, sampling wine from 21 wineries.

Doug Ashcraft brought three champagnes and three varietals from his vineyard near Lodi, Calif.

"Grab some fruit to go with that raspberry (champagne)," Ashcraft told a taster. "The sweetness of the champagne works wonderfully with an acidic fruit like a strawberry or a melon. It's all about food pairings."

All about food pairings and caring for cancer patients.

"The reason we started coming to this event is because our neighbor's daughter, April Schultz, died of a brain tumor," said Kim Angelo of Carson.

"And my dad died of cancer," added her husband, Art.

Just then their neighbor, Kathy Schultz, walked up.

The event has grown a lot since her daughter died, she said.

"The first one was held at the Ormsby House, I think. That was right after April died so I really needed to come."

Everyone seemed to feel good about the cause.

"This is one of the premiere events here in Carson City," said Tom Baker. "It's a very worthwhile benefit." Baker is the chairman of the Carson-Tahoe Hospital Foundation which is raising funds to build a cancer treatment center on the north end of town.

Ron Bowman was enjoying the scene - though he doesn't care for wine.

"I don't drink wine," he said, sipping beer from the wine glass everyone got at the door. "This is one of the major events of the year," he continued, grouping it with Nevada Day and the Taste of Downtown.

Joanne Rolfe of South Lake and Terry Grimmer of the Bay Area do drink wine. They wore their glasses on harnesses around their necks.

"This way we can eat or talk with our hands," said Grimmer. "This is a fabulous event - it's great to be able to talk with the wine makers."

"They know what they're talking about," said Rolfe.

John Tatro came with his wife Kathy.

"Thursday night we were at the Governor's Mansion for a thank-you dinner with the hospital auxiliary and tonight we're here," he said. "It's all connected and it's all a great cause."

Coats thanked all the businesses who donated goods and services to the event's silent auction.

"And I want to thank the community for coming and all the volunteers - we have about 50 volunteers here tonight," he said.

In 2003, the Carson Advocates for Cancer Care spent $178,000 on 121 patients. They raised about $20,000 at last year's Winter Wine event and are currently helping 92 patients.

Contact Karl Horeis at khoreis@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1219.