Vine Village to Host August Fundraiser to Benefit Fabulous Organization in Napa

Every weekend seems to have its fair share of winery events and festivities in Napa Valley, but on Sunday, August 10, more than 150 people are expected to gather at a 25-acre ranch and orchard set among the rolling hills and vineyards of Carneros for a celebration of a different kind. 

There will be plenty of wine, food and auction lots, but guests are celebrating and supporting Vine Village—one of the longest-running programs of its kind. 

Vine Village provides the developmentally disabled with an alternative to the isolation of “independent living” and the depersonalized setting of an institution, and this event will celebrate its 41 years of providing people with developmental disabilities the quality of life that should be the birthright of every person.

The evening features an outdoor family-style dinner, live and silent auctions, live music and more. Proceeds benefit the operations and programs at Vine Village. 

Tickets are $100 per person, or $750 for a table of eight and can be purchased at www.vinevillage.org.

About Vine Village:

Vine Village offers both residential and day programs:

·       Residents live together in comfortable cottages on the property, and hold jobs within the Napa community.

·       The arts-focused day program allows clients who live elsewhere to come to Vine Village  Monday through Friday to create and communicate through art—painting, textiles, jewelry making and more—in a serene, spacious art studio in the middle of the ranch, surrounded by farm and wildlife.

·       A second agricultural-based day program is in the works.

·       Set among the rolling hills of Carneros, the Vine Village property includes the orchard, a rookery, historic barns, a pond; an assortment of farm animals, a greenhouse and the art studio.

The program was started in 1973 by George and Grace Kerson and Dante Bagnani, two families with disabled children, who joined forces to create for their children and others with developmental disabilities, an alternative to the isolation of “independent living” and the rigid, depersonalized setting of an institution; one that would offer a supportive community, vocational options more suited to the individual’s interest, and a quality of life not available elsewhere. The program is now operated by the second and third generations of the Kerson family. 

Learn more at www.vinevillage.org