Wine Auction Raises $285,000 For Santa Monica-Malibu Schools

SANTA MONICA, CA – The Santa Monica-Malibu Education Foundation’s third annual Wine Auction fundraiser raised over $285,000, according to the press release. The event, which was presented by Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows/MSD Capital, Kaiser Permanente and Santa Monica Place/Macerich, took place at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows.

The four hundred people in attendance enjoyed tastings from more than 30 food and wine vendors, dancing, along with live and silent auctions, according to the press release. The three Wine Auctions have now raised a combined $659,000 for local schools. All proceeds from the event benefit the Ed Foundation, which funds programs at every school in the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District, the press release said.

The Education Foundation funds staff and programs including arts education for the district’s 4,900 elementary students, 87 instructional assistants, and enrichment grants for all 16 schools in the district. Most schools decide to use these grants to provide STEM programs, expanded arts curriculum, or student wellness programs, the press release said.

“What a perfect evening of supporting our students!” said Linda Greenberg, Executive Director of the Ed

Foundation. “The positive energy at the event was palpable. The food and wine were top notch and the auctions were exciting. We are very grateful to everyone – attendees, sponsors, vendors and volunteers –
who made this event our most successful Wine Auction so far.”

The Education Foundation met a $100,000 match from the Franklin Elementary School PTA thanks to donations at the event. With the match met, the PTA will donate $100,000 to the Ed Foundation’s Academics Endowment, helping to ensure crucial programs for students, the press release said.

Participating restaurants at the event included Bareburger, Blue Plate Oysterette/Taco, Caffe Luxxe, Fig,
Herringbone, Little Fatty, Locanda del Lago, Lunetta, Margo's, Melisse, Milo & Olive, Red O, Sushi
Roku, Upper West Restaurant and Upstairs 2.

Wine, beer and spirit tastings included: The Wine House, Bonaccorsi Wine Company, Carlisle Winery &
Vineyards, Dragonette, Empress 1908 Gin, Far Niente Wine Estates, Folk Machine, Foxen Vineyard &
Winery, Habit Wine Company, Jackhammer Wine Co., Luuma, Margerum Wine Company, Mattiasson
Wines, Nicolas-Jay, Nomadica Wine, Orin Swift, Pali Wine Co., The Prisoner Wine Company, Revel
Wine, Sandhi Wines, Stolpman Vineyards, and Three Weavers Brewing Company.

Many local businesses sponsored the event through the Ed Foundation’s Corporate Heroes program. In
addition to the presenting sponsors, the local business include: Cedars-Sinai; Edison International; FreeAssociates; The Gallery Food Hall, Harding Larmore Kutcher & Kozal, LLP; CIT’s OneWest Bank; Pacific Park; Pence Hathorn Silver; Saint John’s Health Center Affiliation Endowment Fund; Stifel; UCLA Medical Center, Santa Monica; DFH Architects, LLC; DLR Group; Gelson's Markets; Keygent, LLC; and Khedr
Management Company.