Get in on chance at luxury aution items for cancer center benefit
Submitted by LivingWell Cancer Resource Center
How would you like to escape with nine of your closest friends to a 10,000-square-foot villa in Mexico; attend the 2012 Ryder Cup final rounds with access to a VIP Chalet, spend seven days and nights in a 17th-century Tuscan farmhouse, or warm up with the White Sox before taking in a game from front row scout seats?
These are just a few of the items that will be up for auction at the seventh annual Winter Wine Festival, an exclusive fundraising event benefiting Geneva-based LivingWell Cancer Resource Center, a community-based, nonprofit organization.
The invitation-only, $250 per guest affair will be held Saturday, Feb. 18, at the St. Charles home of Ed and Karen French. While the event itself is private, the auction and raffle drawings are open to anyone interested in participating and supporting LivingWell. Absentee ballots and raffle tickets may be obtained at LWWinterWineFestival.com.
“Last year was the first year we opened the auction to the public and we had a tremendous response,” said Lori Hansen, special events coordinator for LivingWell. “We anticipate an even larger response this year as the Wine Festival committee has pulled together an incredible list of exclusive, once-in-a-lifetime experiences.”
Among the highlights of this year’s auction include:
Ÿ Two tickets to the exclusive 2012 Ryder Cup at Medinah Country Club, including full access to the final rounds and passes to a VIP Chalet
Ÿ A wine and culinary excursion for eight in Tuscany, including accommodations at a 17th century farmhouse
Ÿ A week in a 10,000-square-foot multilevel villa perched over the Pacific Ocean in LaPunta, Manzanillo, Mexico, including private chef, butler and maid
Ÿ A Napa Valley wine trip for four with private tour guide
Ÿ Arizona golf packages at Whisper Rock Golf Club and Quintero Golf Club
Ÿ Chicago White Sox sky box for 18
Ÿ Chicago White Sox scout seats and “on field” experience
Ÿ Exclusive Royal Country Club social membership
Ÿ An “Instant Wine Cellar” including more than 100 bottles of Wine Spectator’s “Top 100 Wines”
Other auction items include an in-home dinner for 10 prepared by a renowned chef and including wines, printed invitations and servers; premium tickets to the Chicago Cubs, Bulls, Bears and Blackhawks; exclusive golf packages; and VIP treatment by the Tri-City mayors. A complete list of auction items is available on the event website.
New to this year’s Festival is a “Razny Jewelers’ Rolex Event,” a raffle drawing for a set of Rolex time pieces courtesy of Razny Jewelers.
Raffle tickets are $100 each and are available online as well as at the following area locations: Always in Style, 516 W. State St., Geneva; Cocoon, 212 S. Third St., Geneva; Denim Loft, 206 W. State St., Geneva; Hi Hat House, 227 Hamilton St., Geneva; Karen Douglas Realty, 122 Hamilton St., Geneva; LivingWell Cancer Resource Center, 1803 W. State St., Geneva; Merle Norman, 518 W. State St., Geneva; Morrison Gallery, 223 W. State St., Geneva; and Razny Jewelers, 1501 W. Lake St., Addison.
“The Rolex raffle is definitely a highlight of this year’s event and something we hope will help generate greater awareness for LivingWell among the community at large,” Hansen said. “Anyone can participate in the raffle whether or not they plan to attend the event. Tickets can be purchased online for just $100, a donation that will go directly to supporting LivingWell programs and one that could potentially yield a tremendous return on investment in the form of a stunning Rolex time piece.”
Another way community members can support LivingWell is by contributing bottles of wine to the 2012 Wine Festival event. Between now and Feb. 18, simply stop by or call Binny’s Beverage Depot, 1950 Lincoln Hwy., St. Charles, and request to donate one or more bottles of wine to the Winter Wine Festival. Anyone who donates will receive a 5-percent discount on donation bottles as well as on personal purchases.
All proceeds from the Festival will go to fund the 55-plus programs and services offered through LivingWell Cancer Resource Center. The only comprehensive cancer care resource available in the western suburbs, LivingWell has served the needs of more than 10,000 people, providing services that encourage, educate and emotionally support people living with cancer, as well as their family members, caretakers and friends.
For information about the LivingWell Winter Wine Festival, visit LWWinterWineFestival.com or contact LivingWell at (630) 262-1111. Event and raffle tickets may be purchased online or through any member of the festival committee.