March 7, 2005

It was a perfect way to spend a warm Sunday afternoon. About 200 people enjoyed a day in downtown Sunol at the Save the Children Tsunami Relief Fundraiser held at the Sunol Event Center on February 20. Entertainment was provided by four bands, Generation Blue Band, the Uncovered Band, Georgi and the Rough Week and Moreality who each played a mix of different types of music from rock to blues; there was a large variety of appetizers and desserts, and beautiful paintings and gift baskets which were offered at a silent auction. Besides the bands, auction and food, several different wineries were on hand to pour a taste of their wines.

Organizer, Georgi Sneckner-Longboya said, "Thanks to everyone who came out and supported our event. I also want to thank the community for helping me pull this together, it was just a great idea and I couldn't have done it without everyone's help, Gerarda, Sandi, the band. It was really nice to see everyone pull together and bust their chops to get it done. The art auction was incredible. We had a very elegant event." Approximately $4,500 was raised at this event.

Save The Children 's Paul Kelly traveled all the way from San Francisco to explain how their organization works and where the funds that were raised would be distributed. And I understand that he fell in love with the beauty of Sunol and he plans to return for a visit real soon.

Please join me in acknowledging the following people and business' that helped make this fundraiser a huge success. Those who helped with entertainment, equipment, technical, video and web support were, Generation Blue Band, Uncovered Band, Georgi and the Rough Week, Moreality, Primetime Entertainment, Carlos Suarez, Tom Palatino, Steve Curtis, Trinity Media Inc. and IVC Digital Media. Those who provided media coverage and communications were KKIQ, Channel 30, Paul Hirsch, Tri-Valley Magazine, The Valley Times, The Contra Costa Times, Tri-Valley Herald, The Independent and Alice Jones.

Sponsors included Stocking Reality, Gerarda and Bosco Stocking, Skip Hensley, Bill Speer, Little Valley Vineyards, Sandi Bohner, Bill Webster, Deborah McQueen, Jim Hutchins and Kinko's of Livermore.

The artists and person who donated to the silent auction were Linda Ryan, Carol Kalos, Patriza Ellis, Diana Marian, Victoria's Salon and Day Spa, Gourmade Cookery and All About Me.

The delicious food was provided by Girasole Grill, Panama Bay Coffee, Canton Village, TGIF, The Riata, Noland's Cake Shop, Safeway, Schafer's Bakery, Der Wienerschnitzel, Blue Cupcake Bakery and Café, Nob Hill Foods, Cape Cod Potato Chips and Quizno's Subs.

Wine tasting was generously poured by Little Valley Vineyards, Fenestra Vineyards, Chouinard Vineyards, Wente Vineyards, Wood Vineyards, Big White House, Elliston Vineyards, Concannon Vineyards and Tamas Estates.

And of course what's a fundraiser without dedicated volunteers. Those helping out behind the scenes were Roland Longboya, Georgi Sneckner-Longboya, Joan Kushner, Tim Schane, Marie Graham, Kathleen Shaffer, Brianna Slaven and Laura Glovin.

Sunol's Girl Scouts will be selling their very popular cookies near the entrance of several area stores over the next few weeks. Be sure to stop and help support Sunol's Scouts. They will be selling at Raleys Store in Pleasanton today from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m; at Safeway on Santa Rita in Pleasanton tomorrow from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. and on Saturday at the Pleasanton Farmers Market from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

There is still time to get those Crab Feed tickets. The Little Brown Church's fundraiser for Sunol's youth and children is this Saturday. It's all-you-can-eat crab, pasta, salad, and dessert for only $45.00 plus a silent auction and live entertainment. Call the church for ticket info at 925-862-2004.