It
’s been six years now since a group of local high school and
middle school parents and concerned residents decided they needed
to do something to help pay for local schools’ running
programs.
It’s been six years now since a group of local high school and middle school parents and concerned residents decided they needed to do something to help pay for local schools’ running programs. Since then, the group has raised more than $60,000 through its efforts, providing much-needed uniforms, equip-ment and even college scholarships for the cross-country and track and field teams at Live Oak, Britton and Martin Murphy.
And, despite the group’s success in raising money for the sports programs, the need for fundraising is as great today as it was back then, if not more so.
That’s why this year’s sixth annual South Valley Wine Auction fundraiser is as important as ever.
The popular event is scheduled for Friday, April 23 at 6:30 p.m., at the Morgan Hill Community and Cultural Center, 17000 S. Monterey Road.
As always, the event will feature a wine tasting provided by more than a dozen local and regional vintners, along with food from local restaurants. But the highlight of the evening will be the silent and live auction featuring an estimated 100 items, ranging from exclusive winery tours and fine wines to theater, golf and kayaking packages. There will also be door prizes and raffles. Tickets are $35 and can be purchased at BookSmart or Jody’s Junction, or by calling Wendy Campos at 778-9501.
Some of the items sure to attract some serious bidding this year include: private tours and tastings at Opus One (for six) and Gallo-Sonoma (for 10) in the Napa Valley area, at Byington Winery (for 30) in the Santa Cruz Mountains, and at Sunstone Vineyards and Winery (for two) in Santa Barbara, a Robert Mondavi-autographed 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon Magnum, a Rick Barry-autographed photo, a Coyote Creek golf package for four, a San Martin Meats & Catering barbecue for 10, two tickets to an ACT preview performance or two tickets to the American Musical Theater of San Jose’s production of A Chorus Line or Jekyll and Hyde, and an all-day Monterey Bay kayaking trip, among others.
Auction items and event sponsors are also welcome and those interested in contributing can call Dr. Jon Hatakeyama at 779-7391 or visit the event Web site at www.svwine-auction.org. Auction items such as group dinners or other event packages are especially needed.
According to Hatakeyama, who helped found the annual fund-raiser, this year’s proceeds will be as essential to the continuation of the local schools’ running programs as ever before.
Hatakeyama said the organizers’ fundraising goal of $35,000 will be used for such things as to offset the loss of Britton and Murphy cross-country and track coaching stipends, as well as the usual yearly uniform and equipment needs.
The event also sponsors the middle schools’ annual Turkey Trot in November, during which students can earn credits by running certain distances.
“The needs are always there, especially this year,” he said.
Live Oak track and cross-country coach Dean Raymond said the proceeds are essential to keeping a viable program going, especially when the school district doesn’t fund basic needs such as uniforms and equipment, and admissions and concessions revenue is virtually non-existent in running sports.
“The initial reason (for the fundraiser) was we didn’t even have money for sweats — we were that poor,” Raymond said. “This is our major fundraiser. This means the athletes don’t have to do car washes, bake sales or whatever. There are so many needs, the money is gone just like that.”
Over the past few years, the proceeds have been used to purchase starting blocks and hurdles, a high jump pit, pole vaulting poles, pit and mobile metal cover, and a timing system. Ironically, all these are items the track program needs to host large meets, such as the upcoming Raymond Relays on March 27, to raise more money to support itself.
In addition, the event’s proceeds fund an annual $500 college scholarship awarded to the top senior boy and girl in both track and cross-country.
Hatakeyama said he and other local parents and community members began the fundraising effort for track and cross-country because it is the most egalitarian of sports and can appeal to the widest range of students.
“Not everyone is big enough to play on the football team or tall enough to dunk a basketball or throw a 90 mile-per-hour fastball, but most kids can run, jump and throw,” he said. “And, without these programs, some kids have a tough time getting into college. That’s why it’s so important to support these programs.”
