The 12th Annual Wine Tasting and Auction on Saturday, March 19, at Barker Hangar at Santa Monica is not only the largest wine tasting event of its kind in Southern California, it is also the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Greater Los Angeles’s biggest annual fund-raiser.
About 2,000 people are expected to sample tastings from leading wineries and appetizers from some of Los Angeles’s best-known restaurants. There will also be live and silent auctions, featuring hundreds of items.
The event has raised millions of dollars over the past twelve years. Last year, $530,000 made wishes come true for over 400 Los Angeles children living with life-threatening medical conditions.
In addition to over 400 auction packages, a drawing for a seven-day cruise for two on Holland America will be held.
Among the more unusual items to be offered at auction are a 2005 Pontiac GTO, customized for the reality show “The Agent” and donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation by show participant and USC defensive end Shaun Cody, lunch for two with legendary UCLA basketball coach John Wooden, a trip to watch the season finale of the television show, “The Apprentice,” in New York City, guitars signed by Sheryl Crow, Slash and Green Day; a Los Angeles Lakers Jersey signed by Shaquille O’Neal, a foursome of golf at the new Trump National Golf Course Los Angeles, a ride in the Goodyear Blimp; and lunch prepared by the fire fighters at Hollywood Fire Station 27.
The event begins at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $125 in advance and $150 at the door with special VIP tickets and limousine packages also available. Go to www.wishla.org or (310) 788-9474 to purchase tickets.
Established in April of 1983, the Greater Los Angeles chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation has granted over 5,200 wishes to children throughout Los Angeles County.
