The Kentucky Derby-themed party, held at the Fair Barn in the Village of Pinehurst April 30, drew its largest crowd ever, generating proceeds of over $30,000 to benefit Sandhills Children’s Center.
The evening was made possible by Sam Zahran & Sons, wine distributors located in Fayetteville, who donated a variety of wines for the tasting pleasure of the hundreds of guests in attendance. In addition, the guests enjoyed delectable foods from local favorites including Forest Creek, Elliott’s on Linden, Chef Warren’s, The Holly Inn, The Magnolia Inn, The Gray Ghost, La Terrace, The Fresh Market and Pine Needles & Mid Pines Golf Resorts, and the music of The McKenzie Brothers; all of which was also generously donated to ensure that the majority of the night’s proceeds were available to use directly for the operation of the Center’s comprehensive program.
The night would also not be possible without the nurturing hand of the Wine Tasting committee, led by its co-chairs Cathy Smith and Bonnie McGowan. Responsible for recruiting guests and sponsors, as well as transforming the Fair Barn into a rose-showered room fit to celebrate the Kentucky Derby, the committee, made up entirely of volunteers, drove the success of the event from the starting gate through the final stretch.
It is because of the generosity of these donators and others, such as The Wine Cellar & Tasting Room who returned a portion of the wine sales they generated that evening back to the Center, and the volunteers including not only the committee, but also groups like the Pinecrest High School Interact Club, that the children’s Center continues to thrive.
As a private, nonprofit, developmental day school for children with and without special needs, Sandhills Children’s Center depends on such assistance to be able to provide its inclusive program offering therapy, professional instruction, transportation, and an abundance of love.
For more information about Sandhills Children’s Center, or its fundraising events (the next and largest, is the Festival of Trees in November) call 692-3323.
