This article was provided by American Red Cross.
The dinner raised approximately $240,000 for Red Cross disaster preparedness, response, and recovery in San Benito, Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties.On Friday, Nov. 3, nearly 350 community members from across the Central Coast celebrated the local impact of the American Red Cross’ services to the Tri-County area. Guests enjoyed the finest offerings from local farms, restaurants, wineries, and distilleries at the Red Cross’s fourth annual Farm to Table Dinner. Held at Carmel Valley Ranch, the event was presented by Century Communities and Audi.
“The generosity of the evening’s donors and sponsors is what enables the Red Cross to provide so many services to the residents of Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz Counties,” said Michele Averill, Chief Executive Officer for the American Red Cross of the Central Coast. “We are very grateful for this critical support,” Averill said.
The festivities kicked off with live music by the Monterey Jazz Festival All-Stars and a tasting reception featuring dozens of area wineries and distilleries. Then, Chef Tim Wood of Carmel Valley Ranch, Chef Todd Fisher of Folktale Winery, and Chef Fabrice Roux of Roux and Carmel Valley Chophouse prepared a unique, multi-course, family-style dinner featuring the best offerings from local farms with expertly selected wine pairings.
The chefs were assisted by Rancho Cielo Drummond Culinary Academy, and the dishes were served by students from the CSU Monterey Bay Hospitality Program.
“Local farms, restaurants, and other businesses are very generous, and the evening couldn’t even happen without the contributions of our three amazing chefs and the Carmel Valley Ranch,” Averill said.
The night culminated with an exciting live auction that benefited the local programs and disaster services that the Red Cross provides in the Central Coast Chapter’s service area.
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission.
In addition to being presented by Century Communities and Audi, this year’s dinner was also generously supported by our Platinum Sponsor, Carmel Valley Ranch; our Gold Sponsors, Folktale Winery and Vineyards, PG&E, ROUX, and Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System; a number of Silver, Bronze, and Table Sponsors; and many other businesses and individuals.
The American Red Cross of the Central Coast serves the residents of Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz Counties. For more information, visit our website at redcross.org/centralcoast or call us at 831-624-6921. You may also find us on Facebook and Twitter.
Contact: Jim Burns
408-483-7455
jim.burns@redcross.org
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