The Chicago Dempster Merchants Association and Vinic Wine will host a neighborhood shop-for-charity event from 5 to 8 p.m. on Sept. 17. More than 30 local businesses will pour Chilean wine samples at this second annual event to benefit local programs for people with disabilities.
Ticket sales, raffle and a portion of merchant sales will benefit programs for people with disabilities of two local nonprofits: JJ’s List, disability service organization, and the Woman’s Club of Evanston’s annual grants program.
“As a local nonprofit that provides workplace skills training for adults with disabilities, we support efforts by Evanston businesses to be disability aware,” said JJ Hanley, associate director of Search, Inc., and director of JJ’s List. “This event helps build community awareness of the capacity and ability of people with disabilities, because our participants work to help organize, promote and host the Wine Walk.”
“Each year the 400 dedicated members of The Woman’s Club of Evanston contribute more than $100,000 and 5,000 volunteer hours to a broad range of non-profits, including those serving individuals with disabilities,” said Jan Hartwell, Woman’s Club president. “For 25 years, our Fairy Tale Trail project has provided a safe, non-frightening Halloween experience for children of all abilities, especially those who are physically, cognitively, or economically challenged. By supporting our Annual Grants program, the Wine Walk helps continue our long-standing support for individuals with disabilities.”
Business participants include the new Studio Armadi, Paramour Bungalow, Homestead Meats, Dragonfly, Stumble & Relish, Trader Joe’s, Squeezebox Books and Music, Hewn Bakery, Blind Faith Cafe, Four Finches, Spex, Soapies Cleaners and Union Pizzeria.
“We have an incredible business district with such a variety of stand-out merchants. This is a wonderful opportunity for the local businesses to come together and promote the growth of small, independent entrepreneurs,” said Jaime Leonardi, owner of Stumble & Relish. “Countless people came in after last year’s wine walk and asked when the next one would be, telling us how fun it was to explore the neighborhood and how happy they were to support local causes.”
“We are looking forward to the second annual Evanston Charity Wine Walk. It’s such a fun opportunity to see the wonderful stores up and down Chicago and Dempster while sipping on an extensive collection of Chilean wines heralding from many of the great sub-regions of that country, always providing great quality for the money,” said Sandeep Ghaey of Vinic Wine.
Tickets are $30 per person and available at www.shopevanston.com or at Vinic Wine, 1509 Chicago Ave. The price includes a bottle of wine and one free raffle ticket.