Dwights and Seppis honored at annual Wetzel award luncheon

A common path shared by a relocated couple and a multi-generation Healdsburg family was celebrated at the seventh annual Wetzel Leadership Award Luncheon last week at the Vintners Inn in front of a sold out crowd.
The common passion shared by Herb and Jane Dwight and the Seppi family of Costeaux Bakery fame is the Healdsburg District Hospital and its North County caregiver partners in Cloverdale, Geyserville and Windsor.
“We are grateful for all the many people here today who were the first to introduce us to Healdsburg,” said Jane Dwight, who moved to Healdsburg seven years ago with husband Herb after his retirement from Optical Coating Labs in Santa Rosa.
“We prefer to fly below the radar,” said Herb, “but we are very pleased to be here with the Seppi family.”
Presented by the Healthcare Foundation of Northern Sonoma County, the annual awards luncheon is named for Hank and Maggie Wetzel, of Alexander Valley Vineyards. The couple, now deceased, donated several million dollars to the hospital and foundation over the years, including the major portion of funding for the renovated and expanded emergency department at the hospital now named in their honor.
Daughter Katie Wetzel Murphy welcomed everyone to the affair and county supervisor Mike McGuire led off the afternoon with two Gold Resolution announcements for the Dwights and Seppis. “The Seppis are a true legacy family of Healdsburg,” McGuire said. “And Herb and Jane Dwight have just been so giving of the community in the time they’ve been here.”
The Healthcare Foundation of Northern Sonoma County has made an incredible contribution to the Healdsburg District Hospital and healthcare in northern Sonoma County since its inception in 2002. Through individual donations, ongoing fundraisers and endowments, the foundation has provided almost $15 million to the causes of community-base healthcare.
Foundation co-chair Dave Anderson, retired primary care physician led several rounds of applause for the Dwights and Seppis, and also for the foundation’s staff led by executive director Pat Callahan. Brushing back tears, “Dr. Dave”, sans suspenders, thanked his co-chair Mary Jane Mittelstadt and the early year’s donors  including Kay and Tom Reid, Jim Walters and others present in the audience.
The Dwights and Seppis were each given original paintings by local artist Bill Gittins. The paintings were of scenes from the Pepperwood Preserve, a 3,120 acre nature preserve located west of Healdsburg and Windsor in the Mayacama range.
“We love Healdsburg,” said Nancy Seppi, matriarch of the family that has owned Costeaux French Bakery for almost 40 years in Healdsburg. “It has  been so special to raise our children here in such a loving community. This is an incredible honor. Thank you.” Joining her on stage was husband Karl, son Will and daughter-in-law Brandy.
Son Will, now the general manger of the family business added his appreciation to Jane and Herb Dwight. “This is a truly magnificent honor.”
Foundation executive director Callahan announced a few upcoming initiatives for the foundation, including a new drive to raise funds for the “Healthy Farmworkers Family Fund.”
“There’s a lot of need for primary care here,” said Callahan, while announcing the support of Carlos Chavez and his Chavez Family Cellars.
She also thanked the nearly 100 volunteers who made last summer’s Women, Wine & Shoes fundraiser a tremendous success, raising $318,000 for the foundation, while announcing plans for the second annual event in 2014. Costeaux Bakery made 300 shoe-shaped cookies for the fund raiser luncheon and auction.
A brief video tribute to the Dwights and Seppis, produced by Shoot Blue Productions of Geyserville, was screened for the crowd.
“The Seppi family fills the cracks in the community,” said Jason Passalacqua, in the film.
The Healthcare Foundation of Northern Sonoma County supports the Healdsburg District Hospital, Alliance Medical Center, Alexander Valley Medical Clinic in Cloverdale and other local community-based healthy programs and initiatives.