Foundation to raise funds for Cary D26

Supporters of Cary Elementary District 26 can taste wines from all over the world and bid on one-of-a-kind auction items while raising money for a good cause next weekend.

The Cary 26 Education Foundation, a nonprofit organization that raises money to support enrichment programs throughout the district, is holding its second CaryVino from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, April 9, at the Trout Valley Barn in Cary.

Tickets to the event are $49 and include wine samples and hors d’oeuvres. Since its inception in 2004, the foundation has raised about $58,000 in grants, said Julie Schullian, committee chairman and co-president of the foundation.

“All of the proceeds from the event will go directly to the classrooms that so desperately need it,” Schullian said. “This year we are not raising money for a particular cause because of all of the cuts. Historically, we have raised money for the enrichment programs but this year we are keeping it open.”

Last year, the foundation raised $11,000 and helped volunteer art teachers take a trip to the Art Institute of Chicago.

Visitors will taste 27 wines from across the globe: Australia, New Zealand, Spain, as well as California, Oregon and Washington state.

For wine connoisseurs, Schullian said the plethora of silent auction items should pique some interest.

Auction items include a party for 10 at Bonefish Grill in Algonquin, beauty products from Mary Kay and Arbonne and free haircuts from SportClips, Schullian said.

But the most valuable of the prizes is a baseball bat signed by the late Ron Santo.

“The auction items this year are impressive,” Schullian said. “There are lots of fun things to bid on.

For more information and to buy tickets go to cary26foundation.org.