Proceeds benefit Woods Humane Society
We know that our area holds more fundraisers than just about anyplace. All of them, big or small, do so much good for our community. But, Wine 4 Paws is undoubtedly near the top of the list that people wait for every year. It’s a sponsorship for Woods Humane Society and it is always orchestrated by Sarah Tomasetti, her husband Steve, and some 15 volunteers.
When the Paso couple was enjoying local wine on the back deck and watching their dogs in the yard 10 years ago, they decided they wanted to do something that would combine both the love of pets and Paso-area wine. The weekend event began as an idea to get wineries and locals involved for the benefit of helping Woods maintain its excellence in dog adoptions. In the first year, 35 wineries participated and each year, more and more join in to help the cause. This year there are ‘just shy’ of 100 wineries involved! Earth and Fire Brewers in Paso and Olivas de Oro (olive oil) in Creston are also donating a portion of their sales. Templeton’s Las Tablas Animal Hospital is the main event-sponsor for the weekend.
If you’ve recently moved here or have been in a news-free cave for the last 10 years, here’s what happens. Wineries, during a specific weekend in April, take a portion of their tasting fees or profits (sometimes 100%) and donate them to Woods. Folks out for wine tasting or purchasing during that weekend can contribute into ‘donation jars’ as added help. For many of us, “wine is as necessary in our homes as tri-tip and salsa.”
We know we’re going to go tasting; we know we’re going to buy wine; we know we’re going to enjoy it. The official opening of BBQ Season is almost upon us and this weekend is the perfect opportunity to be ready-to-party and do some FABULOUS GOOD at the same time. Some people buy months’ worth of their wine because they know that the more they buy, the more they help and they happy to do it.
The good residents of El Paso de Robles and surrounding hamlets love our pets. Sometimes it seems close-to-sinful if a home doesn’t have a couple ol’ rescue dogs on the porch and at least one cat-in-a-basket in a sunny window.
There are super-fine animal adoption places in the county and Woods collaborates with them for the betterment of all animals. Woods is special. It’s a nonprofit, not part of SLO Animal Services, but sits side-by-side with it on Oklahoma Ave. in SLO. The two organizations have a wonderful hand-shake agreement. Since Woods began, they have performed over 3,500 spay/neuter procedures as well as countless classes on animal behavior and pet training for owners. With the merger of the Atascadero shelter (2300 Ramona Rd.) into the fold, Woods now covers both dogs and cats. Just last year, there were 2,500 adoptions at Woods. Isn’t that just staggeringly wonderful! It’s easy to imagine the costs to successfully run such an operation. Medicines, surgery costs, newspapers, cages, food, rags, electricity and supplies add up quickly. Ms. Jill Tucker is Woods’ Executive Director and it’s hard to put into words how thankful she is for this fund-raising event. Last year was $45,000!
Next month in the April edition of your PASO Magazine, there’ll be more information but for now, here are the important points to jot down. www.Wine4Paws.com has all the info. Print out a map of the participating wineries and a passport to enter drawings for great prizes. Friday, April 6, there will be a party at Lefondusac tasting-room in Tin City with wine, food and live music. If you’d like to participate in any portion of the weekend, contact Sarah at Info@Wine4Paws.com.Tell her I suggested it!
Here’s a sobering thought; a full 50% of all animals turned in or surrendered to Woods come from North County. Go tasting, buy your favorites and in the process, smile at the good deed you are doing while having a great time!
