WTN Services employees are committed to participating in the communities for which we serve. This past Sunday a few employees of WTN participated in the local acadamy awards event as a fundraiser for AIDS programs in the Napa Valley. WTN team member Stacey Dykes participated in managing the food vendor presentations and WTN team member Chris Edwards was on hand to talk with the press per below…
By CARLOS VILLATORO
Register Staff Writer
Monday, February 26, 2007
While most of Hollywood gathered for the 79th Annual Academy awards, a celebration of a different sort was underway at the Lincoln Theater Sunday evening.
Wine was flowing, food was plentiful and scores of local Oscar buffs watched the awards in style at the 19th Annual Napa Valley Academy Awards Party.
The event is one part Academy Awards screening and an equal part dance party and fundraiser for AIDS treatment, education and prevention in the Napa Valley. North Bay Unity League hosted the benefit that featured wines from 75 or more wineries, food from nine local restaurants, a silent auction with items donated from a variety of local businesses, and music provided by Napa DJ Rotten Robbie.
Proceeds for the event went to Napa Valley AIDS Project and Peer Network, organizations that assist HIV positive and AIDS patients with everything from prevention, outreach, education, support and AIDS resources said Chris Edwards, Co-chair of NBUL’s Social Justice Committee.
A soft light gave an intimate feel to the gathering, as patrons sipped on wine, nibbled on gourmet dishes such as salmon clam chowder and speculated about the evening’s winners. Many in attendance had been touched in some way by HIV and AIDS.
“I had a family member that passed away (from AIDS) in 1995,” said Nancy Irving, personal assistant of Redd Restaurant Chef/Owner Richard Reddington. “I felt like we were the all-American family, so if it can happen to me, it can happen to anyone.”
Irving said that organizers asked the restaurant to be part of the Oscar party and that it was happy to oblige. She was on hand serving up curried chicken salad on endive leaves.
Harry Helbing savored some wine while watching first-time host Ellen Degeneres deliver a wacky monologue. As a member of North Bay Unity League, Helbing said he has been attending the Academy Awards party for four years.
“It’s a darn good party,” he said. “And, plus, it’s giving a chance … (to) give something back to the community. This is for the community.”
Helbing said he knows people living with HIV, some who are constantly in the hospital and others who do not have any visible signs of the virus, who remind him that the problem is still out there.
“You can’t get complacent,” he said.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, roughly 40,000 people become infected with HIV each year in the U.S.
“At the end of 2003, an estimated 1,039,000 to 1,185,000 persons in the United States were living with HIV/AIDS,” according to the CDC web site. “In 2005, 38,096 cases of HIV/AIDS in adults, adolescents, and children were diagnosed in the 33 states.”
And that’s one of the reasons why local wineries, restaurants, businesses and residents donate, volunteer and attend the Oscar Academy Awards Party, Edwards said.
“A lot of people think the disease has been ignored, but when it comes time their hearts really come out,” he said.
Deb Stalling, NBUL board member, said that the party raised $10,000 last year. This year, the group had a similar goal.
“So many people think that the AIDS epidemic is over, funding for AIDS and research is drying up,” Stalling said. “Even here in Napa County there is a drastic decrease of HIV and AIDS services.”
For $25, partygoers sipped on wines from several local wineries and munched on hors d’oeuvres such as Italian sausages, salmon clam chowder, tuna-laden crackers and other culinary treats. The silent auction that featured items such as Napa Valley Wine Train tickets, a “Dream Girls” movie package, several wines, cook books and assorted delicacies raised even more money for the cause
