Event that benefits the Windsor Service Alliance set for Nov. 20
The Winter Wine Walk will go on this year, although it is with the heavy hearts of event organizers after the recent passing of Barbara Brown, director of the Windsor Service Alliance (WSA) and an instrumental coordinator for Windsor’s feed the hungry programs. Brown was involved in the Winter Wine Walk and the event is one of the main fundraisers for the local food pantry that Brown put her heart and soul into.
“It [Winter Wine Walk] is very different without her. Everybody is picking up the pieces and we’re going to keep going on. People are really looking forward to it,” said WSA volunteer Vickie Peterson, also the twin sister of Brown.
Winter Wine Walk Committee Member Lessa Vivian said that organizing the event hasn’t been the same without Brown. Vivian owns Images on the Town Green and sells tickets to the walk at her store.
“It’s sad because she would come once a week, oftentimes with her twin sister, to collect the funds. It was always so nice to see her face,” Vivian said. “We couldn’t ask for a better thing in her memory than to continue this event. The service alliance is able to do a lot with that money.”
During the event, participants will stroll in and out of businesses on the Windsor Town Green, the “walk” part of the event, all while drinking wine at the shops, the “wine” aspect of the event.
Those attending the event will receive a souvenir wine glass inscribed in Brown’s memory.
“It’s something to remind everybody of her legacy that it doesn’t matter if it’s a smile, a donation or your time; constantly pay it forward,” Vivian said. “This event encompasses the idea of paying it forward.”
The walk will include 16 local winery tastings paired with local restaurants and catering businesses and a map to various Town Green shops offering wine, nibbles and shopping. Vineyard Academy and their winery conglomerate, Taft Street from Sebastopol, will be serving and pouring in the newest shop downtown, Greencycle Kids.
Event founder Nancy Lewis, owner of Atrellis Florist & Gifts, created the event to “diversify clientele and promote Windsor’s Town Green retail shops, restaurants and services, while promoting local wineries.” The walk is “in the generous spirit of raising funds for a great cause during a demanding time of year.”
Lewis and Vivian intend to sell 275 tickets to the Winter Wine Walk, with 100 percent of ticket sales directly given to the WSA. If tickets sell out, $11,000 will be donated to the food pantry. Over 200 tickets have already been sold.
The WSA’s website says that the organization provides temporary assistance and referral to local residents at their request and will establish a central location for the collection and dissemination of goods, services and information to match their needs. WSA will advocate for those in need through liaison with city, county, state, federal and local agencies, both public and private, and by raising the level of community awareness of, sensitivity to and participation in the long-term resolution of these issues.
The organization has many programs. The WSA food pantry provides food for Windsor families and senior citizens weekly.
The WSA also has an Emergency Assistance Program whose goal is to reach those in need of monetary assistance with rent, bills, etc., on a one-time basis. The WSA also has a GAS Voucher program designed to help those who may be stranded and need help with fuel. The WSA relies on volunteers and donations to run their programs.
The Winter Wine Walk will take place on Thursday, Nov. 20, from 5 to 8 p.m., rain or shine. Those interested are advised to purchase tickets as soon as possible, because tickets are firmly limited to 275. Tickets are $40 and are available at Atrellis, 816 McClelland Drive, or Images, 9061 Windsor Road on the Windsor Town Green.
Tickets can be purchased by cash, or with a check payable to Windsor Service Alliance. The event can be found on Facebook under the “Winter Wine Walk (Windsor Town Green).”
