2009 is Starting out Strong
By Joan Taramasso

THIS YEAR’S ANNUAL CELEBRATION 

Friday, August 14, 2009.  Save the date!   It’s time once again to party for Vine Village.  This year’s annual celebration will again be held at The Chardonnay Club.  Golf and Fun will be the two main components of the day.    

Art Program News: 
 

A trip into the Art Room at Vine Village is always a treat.  Checking in with Catalina Arabia, director of Vine Village’s Art  program,  I had a chance to see what’s going on today and what’s coming up for the new year.  While clients were busy with various projects, ranging from graphic designs utilizing pencils and paints to something involving a sewing machine, Catalina filled me in on one very special upcoming event.  The Vine Village Arts Program has been invited to do an exhibition at the Napa City-County Library.  The Library will feature Vine Village art for the entire month of December, 2009.  It seems a long way off, but time flies and December will be here before you know it.  Vine Village’s artists will be working throughout the year on pieces that will go on display. 

Vine Village’s artists communicate quite clearly through their artwork, but wouldn’t it be great if everyone could be as verbal as they are visual?  More mundane communication can be a bit of a challenge at Vine Village.  Do you know of someone with experience in speech therapy that might want to volunteer some time at Vine Village to work with clients on their verbal communication skills?  This could be a great opportunity for a student looking for some hours of community service, or a seasoned professional looking to “give back.”   

Another new feature at the Arts Program  is a giveaway going on through their monthly newsletter.  A special sticker is being included in one random newsletter per month.  If you happen to be the lucky recipient of the sticker, you can bring it to Vine Village and choose a piece of original Vine Village artwork from the collection.  So, check your newsletter carefully to see if you’re this month’s winner! 

If you aren’t currently receiving the Arts Program newsletter and you would like to, contact Catalina via e-mail: catalinaarabia@live.com or give the program a call at 707-255-4116.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES 

The Annual Celebration offers many volunteer opportunities.  Are you a good party planner/team player that would like to help with pre-event planning?  Are you a roll-up-your-sleeves-and-get-it-done volunteer that will come in and do some dirty work the day of the event?  There’s something for everyone at the annual celebration and we know we’ll have a position that will fit your volunteer personality.  Let us know your interests.   Everyone is welcome. 

POETRY DAY

Dennis Johns, one of our Grounds staff, is also a writer and poet. Dennis organized a Poetry Day for Thursday, April 30. It was well attended by clients and staff alike, and everyone enjoyed sharing their favorite poems, and hearing others recite theirs. Way to go, Dennis!

 CREATIVE WAYS TO SUPPORT VINE VILLAGE: 

At the bottom of this website you will see an icon at the bottom of the home page for “Mission Fish” and “E-Bay Giving Works.”  If you’re curious about that here’s the deal:   Let’s say you have an item sitting around the house that you want to donate to Vine Village. Well, donations of physical items can be tricky.  Sometimes cold hard cash is really the best way to help.  How, then, do you turn that beautiful old vase, stack of books or other useful item into a donation?  We have the answer.  Post the item on E-Bay through the E-Bay Giving Works  link and be sure to link a portion of the proceeds to Vine Village.  You can also “shop till you drop” for Vine Village.  Check to see what other Vine Village supporters might have up for sale through the same “E-Bay Giving Works” link. 

MORE CREATIVE WAYS TO HELP VINE VILLAGE

Memorial and Celebration Donations:   In our last newsletter we told you about Austin and Carla’s wedding.  Austin Bowker and Carla Mink-Valenza  included Vine Village in their wedding plans by  letting their friends and relatives know that they could donate to Vine Village in their name.  It worked out great for everyone.   Vine Village benefitted greatly and we greatly appreciate Austin and Carla’s thoughtfulness. 

To keep the spirit of giving alive, consider a donation to Vine Village to celebrate any special event in your life.  A donation to Vine Village might be just the “gift” for that hard-to-buy-for friend on their birthdays, anniversary, graduations, etc.  Does anyone really need another gift basket or coffee mug?  A donation in your beloved’s name will go toward keeping Vine Village alive and well.   

Donations are easy to make!

You can donate via the Vine Village website (www.vinevillage.org) or give us a call for personal service at 707.255.4006.  We’ll be happy to take your credit card information over the phone, and can even set up a scheduled giving plan for you.   Make a one-time donation or have us schedule a monthly or quarterly donation in your name or a friend or loved one’s.   We’ll be happy to send out a notice that a donation has been made.  And remember, all donations are fully tax deductible.