Amid falling snow and freezing temperatures, over 200 guests turned out for the Cancer Community Center’s seventh annual Good Wine for a Good Cause at Grace Restaurant in Portland on April 4.
“This is what we call a community fundraiser,” said Eileen Brown, development director at Cancer Community Center in South Portland. “It’s hosted by SoPo Wine Co., and this is the first time these wines have been introduced. The public hasn’t had the chance to purchase them yet.”
Catherine Oster and Doug Watts, owners of SoPo Wine Co., created this event seven years ago to show their support for the center.
“Cancer in our lives has been home hitting,” said Oster, who lost her mother and grandfather to cancer. “We’ve had so much personal experience with cancer and losing family members, that this is a natural thing for us to do.”
“We like that Cancer Community Center is an advocate for living, not dying,” said Watts, her husband and business partner.
“This is a perfect example of a business doing something that they do well, and they have found a way to make it benefit the center,” said Executive Director Nicole Avery.
“We have a very supportive community,” Brown said, noting that all of the services provided by the center are free.
Wine vendors from all over the world were on hand to offer tastings to eager attendees and wine enthusiasts.
“This event has really grown,” said Peaks Island resident Chris Hoppin, a Cancer Community board member who attended with his wife, Barbara, a former board member. “It’s a great combination of a good time and a worthy cause.”
“It’s always a fun event,” said Paul Drinan, a Portland resident and executive director of Friends of Fort Gorges. “It’s the one time I come out and can count on being exposed to lots of great wines, seeing friends and benefiting a great cause.”
Louise Philbrick of South Portland echoed her pal’s sentiments, summing up the evening succinctly.
“Good cause, good wine, good people,” she said.
Margaret Logan is a freelance writer who lives in Scarborough. She can be contacted at:
margaret08logan@gmail.com
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