Second Annual ‘Wine, Women & Shoes’ Fashion Event Benefiting Voices for Children at Lucky Jack Farm on Saturday, May 11

News Release

(May 7, 2013)  San Diego, CA—The second annual Wine, Women & Shoes fundraiser benefiting Voices for Children will be held the afternoon of May 11, 2013 at Lucky Jack Farm in Rancho Santa Fe, the equestrian facility of Patricia and Marc Brutten. As the name suggests, the event includes a festive atmosphere of fashion, fine wine, and good cheer. All event proceeds and a portion of retail sales benefit Voices for Children, San Diego County’s only agency designated by the Juvenile Court to provide volunteer advocates to foster youth.

Organized by Voices for Children and event co-chairs Patricia Brutten, Becca Craig, Gina Ellis, Claire Ellison, Marina Marrelli, and Cissy Wolfe, the Mother’s Day weekend fundraiser caters to women but does not exclude men. The 2013 event will again boast a glamorous fashion show and marketplace, premium wines, delectable bites, a live auction and opportunity drawing, trunk shows, and the Shoe Guys, who’ll be mingling through the crowd with the latest shoe styles on silver platters.

This year, attendees can double their philanthropic contributions thanks to an anonymous donor who has pledged to match all new and increased gifts to Voices for Children through June 30, 2013—up to $500,000. Thus, all qualifying gifts made to Wine, Women & Shoes will be multiplied.

“Wine, Women & Shoes is for women who love fashion, drinking wine, spending time with their girlfriends, and supporting great causes,” said Patricia Brutten, who noted that “Fund a CASA” is a bestselling auction item. “It’s very moving to be there and witness all the generosity from women in this community.”

Other live auction highlights include a trip to Sonoma for two couples; a trip for six to Napa Valley; a trip to Montana; an M Missoni dress; and an instant cellar, featuring more than 20 bottles of wine. An opportunity drawing will also be held for a chance to win a two-night stay at Rancho Valencia or “Keys to the Closet,” featuring 14 select items from Wine, Women & Shoes retail partners.

The fashion show will feature fashion lines brought in by stylist Kristi Brooks, including M Missioni, C. Wonder, Ted Baker, Karen Millen, and Max Mara. Both male and female models will be outfitted with the latest spring styles.

Event sponsors are Hughes Marino, First Foundation Advisors, Cox Communications, First American Title Insurance, The Ellis Family Foundation, Riviera Magazine, California Bank & Trust, Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation, Wells Fargo, Jim & Amy Wood, Susan & Mark Mulzet, and Cissy & Scott Wolfe.

Marketplace retail partners include Bissel & Blaise, Ted Baker, Morton & Hudson, Julez by Julez Bryant, Double Happiness, Neck Art by Judy Keys, Jill Courtemanche Millinery, Del Mar Kids/The Back Room, Kerut, Sweet Paper, Margaux Lange, Kate Cusack, Flowerchild, Max Mara, and Bonfaire.

Participating wineries include Amberhill/Raymond, Bespoke Collection, Hope & Grace, Justin, Le Grande Courtage, Mason Cellars, O Wines, Tres Sabores, and Barrymore Wines, owned by actress Drew Barrymore, who has created a Pinot Grigio in honor of her family.

Food vendors include Venissimo Cheese, Crush, Giuseppe Catering, Continental Catering, The West Bean Coffee Company, and Cupcakes Squared.

Wine, Women & Shoes has produced more than 120 events nationally for various women’s and family-related causes. Last year’s event benefiting Voices for Children netted more than $113,000 for its CASA program.

For more information, including ticket sales and future sponsorship opportunities, visit www.winewomenandshoes.com/voicesforchildren or contact Jill Jones Mason at 858-598-2222 or JillJ@speakupnow.org.

For an abused or neglected child, a Court Appointed Special Advocate—a CASA volunteer—is someone who listens, reaching out to teachers, social workers, lawyers, caregivers, judges and anyone else who can help meet the child’s needs. The sole mission of a CASA is to help clear a path for a child out of the complex, overburdened child welfare system and into a safe, permanent home. Founded in 1980, Voices for Children, a private, nonprofit organization, has recruited, trained, and supervised thousands of CASAs who advocate for the rights and well-being of the more than 5,000 children who pass through foster care in San Diego County annually. As the only agency in San Diego County designated by the courts to provide CASA volunteers, Voices for Children has a vision called Serve Every Child: to provide by 2016 a CASA to every foster child who needs one. For more information about Voices for Children, to inquire about becoming a CASA volunteer, or to make a donation, visit www.speakupnow.org or call 858-569-2019.

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