The Classic Wines Auction Continues

by Kate Sacamano

Since 2008, YWCA Clark County has been a proud partner with four regional non-profits and the Classic Wines Auction to raise funds for our five core programs. What makes this event ideal for our organization is that we can almost double the investment of our sponsors and donors through the generosity of all of the attendees.

Clark County has been represented very well with over 100 guests supporting YWCA Clark County annually. Each year the event raises over $3 million for all five non-profits, and this year YWCA Clark County will receive $420,000 from the March 3rd auction. Thank you to everyone who helped make the auction a success, and to those donating their time and treasure every step of the way.

The next Classic Wines Auction will be held on March 3, 2018 but you don't have to wait until next year to enjoy Wine Making Wonders. Seats are still available for our exclusive Headwaters Dinner followed by an after-hours tour of the Portland Art Museum and overnight at the Paramount Hotel on October 27th. Special pricing now available if you call our Philanthropy Department 360-906-9123.

On June 8th, Corks and Forks is the happy hour you don't want to miss, featuring some of the hottest restaurants in Portland, and wines from the Northwest. View photos from last year's event, order your tickets today and reserve some wine to take home.

July 22 and 23rd is the second annual Oregon Polo Classic at the Hidden Creek Polo Club in West Linn. This event draws over 1,000 adults and kids who enjoy delicious food, beverages and activities while watching the unique game of polo among the rolling hills of the Willamette Valley horse-country. Reserve a private cabana, plan a corporate picnic or just grab family and friends for a day in the country. Sunday the 23rd is a 21+ event. Those under 21 are welcome to attend Family Day on the 22nd, and ages 13-20 are free! Purchase your tickets today and be sure to select YWCA as your affiliated nonprofit.

We're also looking for a great number of volunteers to help at the Polo Classic. Since Saturday is a family day, anyone over the age of 12 can volunteer. Sunday volunteers must be 21 year and older. Learn about volunteer responsibilities and sign up by June 15th. Please identify yourself as a YWCA volunteer so we can count your time toward the final donation to our programs.

During the fall and winter seasons, Classic Wines Auction hosts a series of Wine Maker Dinners in Portland and SW Washington. Stay tuned for a listing of restaurants in late October and January so you don’t miss out on a private dinner party with your favorite wine maker. To learn more about how you can get involved, call our Philanthropy Department at 360-906-9123.

Making a Milestone Memorable

By Shawna Burkholder

In less than six months, YWCA will mark the 5th anniversary of partnership with Classic Wines Auction. We have much to celebrate and invite you, our YWCA supporters, to join us in continuing to make this a successful partnership.

“Wine Working Wonders” is the name of the main auction that takes place the first Saturday each March at the Oregon Convention Center. This wine and culinary extravaganza, that Wine Spectator has ranked as one of the top ten charity wine auctions in the United States, brings 750 wine enthusiasts together in support of local children and families in need. What many do not know is that the main auction is only one of several year-round activities that support the five participating charities.

Over the past four years, YWCA Clark County has received a total of $1,195,105 in revenue through the various auction activities. With this additional revenue, we are able to continue serving survivors of domestic violence, homelessness, sexual assault, child abuse and neglect, oppression, as well as youth in foster care and incarcerated women during difficult economic times.

As with all fundraising events, the components don’t come together without a lot of hard work behind the scenes. YWCA board members and staff dedicate time to auction activities for ten months of each year!

Would you also share your time and talents by playing an active role in the success of the main auction and other supporting events? Specifically, here are the various ways you can support YWCA Clark County while being part of our 5th anniversary with Classic Wines.

Procurement: It wouldn’t be much of an auction if there weren’t items to bid on! Work with a small, yet dynamic group of people to create spectacular live-auction packages. Overall, YWCA’s goal is to have 2-3 packages at a value of $10,000 each or higher for the live auction. Other enticing items are also procured for the silent and super-silent auctions. For more information contact Lisa Bechtold, 360 906 9157 or lbechtold@ywcaclarkcounty.org.

Volunteer: There are several options from serving on a committee with a regular meeting schedule, to helping one day only. One day opportunities include set-up for the Ambassador’s dinner at the Portland Art Museum or for the main auction at the Oregon Convention Center; helping during the auction evening or the day after to help deliver auction items. In the first year YWCA had 52 auction volunteers, and we’ve grown substantially with a total of 228 volunteers over four years. To learn more contact Stephanie Barr, 360 906 9112 or sbarr@ywcaclarkcounty.org.

Winemaker Dinners: Purchase tickets to attend either the fall (November 13-15, 2012) or spring (February 19-21 and 26-28, 2013) dinners. A portion of the proceeds support YWCA Clark County if you select us as your charity affiliation while registering. These dinners are open to the public and a great alternative if you are unable to attend the main auction. For more information or to purchase tickets visit www.classicwinesauction.org.

Sponsorship: There is an entire menu of sponsorship opportunities from the centerpieces, commemorative magnums, catalog, cocktail plate and, of course, several levels of table sponsorships. All sponsorships include a varying array of benefits from visibility to an invitation to the exclusive Ambassador’s dinner. For more information contact Shawna Burkholder, 360 906 9123 or sburkholder@ywcaclarkcounty.org.

And, finally, we invite you to attend this magnificent evening. Individual tickets can be purchased through the Class Wines Auction website, or please contact Shawna Burkholder if you are interested in sitting at a table with other YWCA Clark County supporters.

Classic Wines Auction’s expanded events benefit over 44,000 children and families annually served by the five charity partners providing services, hope and opportunity to change the lives of thousands in our community.

Classic Wines is a Classic Win

We often are asked why YWCA Clark County participates in the annual Classic Wines Auction after more than a decade of hosting its own auction. Although the name and venue are different, the mission of this fundraiser has not changed.

What began as a small group of friends exchanging wine from personal collections to raise funds for women, children and families, became the Classic Wines Auction; one of the top ten charity wine auctions in the United States according to Wine Spectator magazine, prompting organizers to form a separate nonprofit entity in July 2004 supporting five Portland-based charities.

In 2008, YWCA leadership recognized that after 15 years of holding its own highly visible and successful auction, it was showing signs of strain. In our final year, it was more difficult to get attendees, items and sponsors. There were so many more events than there used to be – more non-profits raising money – that there was auction fatigue throughout the philanthropic community.

Around this time Classic Wines Auction asked YWCA Clark County to apply to be one of their partnership charities. YWCA leadership thought it was a good opportunity and good timing with the way things were trending.

Classic Wines Auction partners with non-profit organizations with the following characteristics: mission compatibility, effective organizational management, sound financial practices, Board-led fundraising, sustainability, and a solid volunteer network. The opportunity to marry our fundraising efforts with an organization that could widen our financial base was a great fit.

YWCA plays an active role in the success of the main auction and other supporting events. We offer opportunities for event underwriting, table sponsorships, procurement and attendance. Because of this, our staff, volunteer base and time is only one fourth the investment of our own auction. By having an organizing charity take the lead on logistics, YWCA does not have to secure venues, caterers, florists and a number of other items required to make an event this size flow smoothly.
The “Wine Working Wonders” is the main auction that takes place the first Saturday each March. The week preceding the auction, offers nearly thirty Winemaker Dinners and other wine functions. These are open to the public and a great alternative for people unable to attend the main auction.

Our involvement at this year’s event, which raised $2.47 million, proved to be very valuable to our organization. Total revenue is divided among Class Wines Auction and the partner charities. This month, YWCA will receive $350,000 in event proceeds. Only 23% of the YWCA’s revenue comes from philanthropy giving, of which Classic Wines revenue accounts for 58%. It is clear that YWCA Clark County truly benefits from this partnership.

Wine Working Wonders

Oregon’s premier fundraising event, the Classic Wines Auction raised more than $2.42 million to benefit Metropolitan Family Service, New Avenues for Youth, Friends of the Children-Portland and ywca clark county.

More than 700 wine enthusiasts gathered at the Oregon Convention Center Saturday night, March 3rd to raise funds for charities benefiting children and families in the metropolitan area. ywca clark county is the only beneficiary organization from Washington State, and funds from the event(s) make up about 50% of ywca’s philanthropic-related income.

The gala auction is part of a week of “Wine Working Wonders,” which includes four days of winemaker dinners, an ambassador dinner and the auction itself.  ywca clark county volunteers, staff and guests that provided a strong presence at all events. Guests bid on exciting auction packages that would not have been possible without the bounty of unique and delectable items provided by generous sponsors and donors. Volunteers and staff worked tirelessly on the floor and behind the scenes to help create a magical experience for all who attended.

ywca’s success can also be attributed to local champions. Linda Rae Hickey’s leadership in Raise Your Paddle helped generate over $750,000. Kim and Dan Agnew generously donated items for and agreed to host a very popular dinner package. Rachel Collins inspired guests with her story of discovering Y’s Care, establishing new goals, and regaining her life after leaving an abusive relationship. Auction co-chairs Kim Agnew, Cindy Campbell and Craig Wessel invested time and talents to make the auction a memorable evening. Recognition is also due to all the sponsors, including presenting sponsors Bank of America and US Trust.

“We are so grateful to everyone in the community who supported us through Classic Wines and just thrilled to be a beneficiary for the fourth year in a row,” said Sherri Bennett, Executive Director of ywca clark county. “This income ensures that we can continue providing opportunities for change in the lives of our neighbors, family and friends in Clark County.”

A number of auction packages are still open to the public for bidding on the website at www.classicwinesauction.com. Final revenue shares are expected to be revealed in May.

About Classic Wines Auction

Recognized as one of the top ten charity wine auctions in the country by Wine Spectator Magazine since 2001, the Classic Wines Auction has raised nearly $30 million for Portland-area charities since its inception in 1982. Based in Portland, Ore., Classic Wines Auction, Inc. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to producing the Classic Wines Auction and related food and wine events to raise funds for local charities benefiting children and families, including: Metropolitan Family Service, New Avenues for Youth, Friends of the Children-Portland and ywca clark county. See more at www.classicwinesauction.com.

partner spotlight: Kohl’s Kares

The Classic Wines Auction is the ywca clark county’s largest fundraiser and requires hundreds of volunteers to help with setup and various assignments throughout the evening. One way the ywca recruits volunteers is through the Kohl’s Cares – Associates in Action program.

Associates in Action is Kohl’s community service and grant making program. The ywca submitted a volunteer request application for the Classic Wines Auction, and was provided five Clark County Kohl’s employees to setup the day of the auction. In addition to having five incredibly hardworking volunteers, the ywca also received a $500 grant to be used for any of our programs that serve children.

Since 2001, Kohl’s Cares – Associates in Action has contributed over 828,000 volunteer hours and $21.3 million in donations throughout the United States. The ywca is so grateful for organizations like Kohl’s that recognize that every dollar counts and every hand helps.