Event Success! Wine Tasting Sells Out and Raises Over $30,000
On Thursday, March 24 Spark's 3rd Annual Wine Tasting event was held at the Hafele Showroom in Chicago's River North neighborhood and helped to raise over $30,000. The audience at this sold-out event included many new faces and lots of long-time Spark supporters (if there is such a thing for a 4 year old organization).
Here are a few highlights:
-226 people attended (100 more than last year)
-$13,205 was raised from the live and silent auctions
-$90% of the wine was donated or purchased by sponsors
-60 brand new people were introduced to Spark through the event
In total, more than $30,000 was raised from ticket and auction sales, sponsorship and donations. These funds will allow Spark to increase our initiatives providing nutrition, education and healthcare to children in Zambia as well as ensure the successful launch of the poultry farm in Zambia, moving our first partner towards financial sustainability.
A short program included a welcome from Board Member Sherif Mityas, followed by the showing of a new Partnership Trip video and some brief comments from CEO Rich Johnson. The launch of the poultry farm next month was highlighted as attendees were encouraged to follow the Chickens Are Coming 2011 campaign. Click here to view event pictures.
Spark supporter, John Hyland led a fast and furious live auction, energizing the room and drawing bidders to their limits. The Derrick Rose signed jersey and ball with premium tickets to an upcoming Chicago Bulls game went for $2,000. The Instant Wine Cellar with over 40 bottles of hand selected premium wines went for $1,200. And the top winner of the live auction was a Spark Dinner party for 8 featuring a gourmet meal from Chef Carl Jerome and served by the Spark staff, which went for $2,200!
We want to thank our corporate sponsors, the many companies that donated items for the auction, and the fantastic investors, volunteers and board members who made the event possible. And finally thanks to everyone who attended!
Mark your calendars for our Fall event, Friday, November 4!
