Funds raised will provide program scholarships and support the LIVESTRONG cancer survivors exercise program.

Submitted by the West Hartford YMCA

The West Hartford YMCA and Camp Jewell YMCA will hold their 6^th  Annual Wine Tasting, provided by Maximum Beverage, and the public is invited to attend this enjoyable night out that will benefit youth development in our community.

The Wine Tasting will be held on Saturday, Nov. 1, at 6 p.m., at the West Hartford Town Hall, 50 South Main Street, West Hartford. The proceeds will provide residential camp opportunities at Camp Jewell and programs at the West Harford YMCA regardless of their ability to pay.

With the help of the community, more than 700 children will be able to attend summer camp, the LIVESTRONG cancer survivors exercise program will be available to more than 300 individuals for free, more than 1,000 kids will be able to learn teamwork through sports programs, and the important life skill of swimming will be taught to more than 1000 children.

“The life skills children in need can gain from a camp experience cannot be understated,” said Ray Zetye, Camp Jewell YMCA’s executive director. “An opportunity to practice social skills, be physically active and make choices for themselves gives young people improved self-esteem, strengthens coping skills, and combats summer learning loss.”

West Hartford-based Maximum Beverage will provide guests with wines to taste, including selections from several different vendors. Both silent and live auctions featuring a wide variety of items will be featured, including Red Sox tickets for the 2015 season, Patriots tickets and a fine dining experience in your home with chef Michael Bergeron, as well as dancing and fellowship. In an effort to help us reach as many kids and families as possible, all of the food for the evening will be donated by outstanding local restaurants including Tapas, Treva, Ginza, Salute, Chengdu, Whole Foods, Moe’s Black Eyed Sally’s and more.

For each case of wine purchased at the event you will be entered into a drawing to win a free two-week overnight camp session at Camp Jewell YMCA in Colebrook, CT, or West Hartford YMCA’s Summer Adventure Camp.

Tickets for the event are $50 and can be purchased online at www.ghymcawine.kintera.org or by calling Camp Jewell at 888-412-CAMP.

YMCA Camp Jewell and the West Hartford YMCA are branches of the YMCA of Greater Hartford.  The YMCA of Greater Hartford is a non profit 501 (c) 3 charitable organization established in 1852 and is one of the nation’s oldest YMCA’s. The YMCA for Youth Development: Nurturing the potential of every child and teen, for Healthy Living: Improving the nation’s health and well-being, for Social Responsibility: Giving back and providing support to our neighbors.  The YMCA of Greater Hartford has consistently served more than 111,000 people annually, including 66,000 children, in 46 towns and cities throughout the Capital Region. YMCA programs put the values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility into practice to build healthy spirit, mind and body for all participants.