Going, going, GONE!
· 2 min read
While charity auctions are usually fun events abuzz with excitement, one should never forget their purpose – to raise much-needed funds for the beneficiaries
It’s quite common for first-time visitors to Hemel-en-Aarde with its three spectacular wards – Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley and Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge – to ooh and aah and exclaim: “This is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen!” But there’s more to Hemel-en-Aarde than its exquisite natural beauty. The terroir is extremely well suited to Pinot Noir.
One of the highlights of the 2018 Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir Celebration was the event’s charity auction which raised R120 000 for its beneficiaries (for more info go to wineland.co.za/fifth-annual-hemel-en-aarde-pinot-noir-celebration/). The auction wines were sponsored by Ataraxia Wines, Bosman Family Vineyards, Bouchard Finlayson, Creation, Domaine des Dieux, Hamilton Russell Vineyards, La Vierge, Newton Johnson Vineyards, Restless River, Storm Wines, Sumaridge and Whalehaven.
Social responsibility is all about changing lives. This year’s beneficiaries were the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley Pre-School, Hemel-en-Aarde Pebbles Project, Ella Gordon Crèche and Black Birds Rugby Club.
Built in 1996, the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley Pre-School is a non-profit organisation with about 50 children from the valley, three teachers, one training teacher and a cook/cleaner. The full-day programme for children aged two to five includes a nutrition programme and computer literacy training on Leapfrog computers. The Hemel-en-Aarde Pebbles Project ensures that children and families in the valley have access to a high standard of education and health, social and recreational services. Its main goals are to improve transport in the valley, establish an additional early childhood development education facility in the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge ward, provide after-school care for children in the valley, provide a community centre/training facility at Bergplaas farm and host cultural and community sports events.
The Ella Gordon Crèche also cares for and educates a small group of children while their parents are at work, usually on nearby farms. Besides education, proper nutrition is also provided on a daily basis.
The hashtag #WineForGood says it all. It sums up how wine can be used to serve the community. Social responsibility is everybody’s mandate and Pinophiles who attended this year’s Pinot Noir Celebration and particularly those who took part in the charity auction showed how much they care by giving generously.
Viva Pinot Noir! Viva!
One of the highlights of the 2018 Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir Celebration was the event’s charity auction which raised R120 000 for its beneficiaries.
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