Ventura-area businesses and residents show up every year to support veterans living at our California Veterans Home – Ventura. But last year’s turnout for the annual Vino for Vets fundraiser was larger than ever, with about 175 people attending.

The check was presented to the veterans home on March 29.  From left: Michele Mueller, Lawyers Title; Stacie Merkes, CalVet, Ventura Veterans Home; and Erica Binns, The Address, Inc. Real Estate.

The end result was nearly $20,000 – delivered to the home’s administration last Thursday, thanks to Ventura County Coastal Association of Realtors, Young Professional Network, which organized the fundraiser.

“The Vino for Vets event is one of the highlights of the year for our veterans. Donations raised by this wonderful event have funded activities, entertainment, special outings and a memorial wall in honor of those that lived and passed away in our home,” said Home Administrator Michelle Roulston. “This organization has really embraced honoring our California veterans in an effort to improve their lives.”

Vino for Vets provides an opportunity for local community members to meet veterans, sample fine wines and craft beers, taste food from local restaurants, and bid on auction prizes.

The sixth annual Vino for Vets event was held on November 5, 2017.  Local businesses supporting the event with food and drink included: Sharky’s Woodfired Mexican Grill, La Dolce Vita, Café Fiore, Four Brix Winery, Concrete Jungle Brewing Project, Red Tandem Brewery, Opolo Vineyards, Leashless Brewing, and Herzog Wine Cellars.

Event sponsors included: Synergy One Lending, Guild Mortgage, Wells Fargo, First American Title, Lawyers Title, Mortgage Couch, and Sotheby’s International Realty.