Destination Cellars, the first and only luxury destination wine club, today announced that it is helping to raise awareness for early detection of and finding a cure for melanoma -- one of the nation's most deadly, fastest growing cancers. Specifically, Destination Cellars is working with The Brenda MacDonald Melanoma Research Foundation to raise funds and secure auction items tied to the charity's upcoming First Annual Wings of Hope Gala in Washington, D.C.
"Often I'm privileged to develop strong bonds with my clients, as I learn their passions, meet their family and friends and help develop custom wine experiences catering to their personalities," said David Keuhner, founder and CEO of Destination Cellars. "Sometimes my best clients become close friends as is the case with Chad MacDonald. I'm thrilled to support a cause so near and dear to his heart that affects so many Americans and is especially pertinent to wine enthusiasts, vineyard workers and owners, and golfers who are regularly exposed to the sun more than most."
As a sponsor of D.C.'s First Annual Wings of Hope Gala, Destination Cellars has been working for the past two years to reach out to the company's clients and partners including business owners, professionals and celebrities to acquire donations for the event's live and silent auctions. To date, donations secured include:
-- Wine from some of the world's top wineries such as Kosta Browne, Lail Vineyards, Terlato Wine Group, and Castello Banfi -- 3L bottle of Monogram from Domaine Serene -- Signed memorabilia from PGA Tour pro Jerry Kelly -- Four box seats tickets to an Atlanta Braves game from Career Sports Entertainment -- Rounds of golf for three people from PGA Tour pro Parker McLachlin and LPGA Tour pro Meaghan Francella
One supporter with a particularly sentimental motivation for donating is owner of Napa Valley's Hourglass vineyard Jeff Smith. Smith lost his father 10 years ago to melanoma; as such he will be honoring his father's memory by donating an autographed magnum of his limited-production award-winning wine.
"Having experienced a very personal loss to this disease it was important for us to get involved. Considering that global climate change may have a dramatic effect on the potential for greater occurrences, finding a cure is paramount," said Jeff Smith, Hourglass.
An evening of diamonds, champagne, casino gaming, silent and live auctions, music, dancing, fine cuisine and award winning wines, DC's First Annual Wings of Hope Gala will be held on Saturday, November 7, 2009 at 7 p.m. ET at the Trump National Golf Club in Potomac Falls, Virginia. Tickets are $125 per person, if you register before October 23, 2009. Sponsorship opportunities are still available.
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