Prairie Family Y plans equal-opportunity bidding at scholarship fundraiser

Submitted by Prairie Family YMCA

The Prairie Valley Family YMCA will host a wine auction from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27, at Golf Club of Illinois, 575 Edgewood Drive, Algonquin. Proceeds will benefit the scholarship programs.

“We’re planning on having auction items at all price points so anyone can participate in the bidding,” said Prairie Valley marketing director Kay Catlin.

Tickets to the fundraiser are $30 per person and include hors d’oeuvre, wine tastings, and — this year — a Wine Trivia contest sure to stump the most avid connoisseur. The grand prize is a gift basket built around crystal stemware from LeCreuset.

“We’re also having a first Wine and Art live auction featuring themed pairings of wine and handcrafted items. We have everything from a hand-painted vintage sled and bottle of ‘Rosebud’ wine to a stained-glass airplane/kaleidoscope paired with a bottle of ‘Flying Ace,’ Catlin said. “For some of these wines we had to search far and wide, so bidders will have access to options which aren’t even available in the local marketplace.”

The Y also is accepting donation bottles, the fair market value of which is tax-deductible for the donor, Catlin said.

Reservations and donations should be made a no later than Friday, Sept. 20. Tickets can be purchased at the Taylor Y members services desk, 50 N. McLean Blvd., Elgin, or by phone at (630) 503-6572.

Scholarships are awarded according to a needs-based application process and are limited to members who are not already on some sort of scholarship. Financial assistance forms are available in both English and Spanish.

For information, contact Cathy Malm at (630) 503-6572 or cmalm@elginymca.org.