Lee Memorial Foundation hosts seventh annual Wine and Beer Tasting event

Published 8:48 am Tuesday, August 7, 2018

By Sarah Culton

DOWAGIAC — Despite high temperatures, hundreds gathered under white tents Saturday in order to taste libations from some of Michigan’s finest wineries and breweries, while also supporting a local organization.

Saturday, the Lee Memorial Foundation hosted its seventh annual Wine and Beer tasting event at 55317 Indian Lake Road, Dowagiac. The events allowed ticket holders to eat hors d’oeuvres and samples of wine and beer from Round Barn, Tabor Hill, Lazy Ballerina, Cody Kresta, 12 Corners, Gravity, Contessa, Sister Lakes Brewing Company, Barn Brewers, Saugatuck Brewing Company, Perrin Brewing Company and Virtue Cider.

All the money raised from the event will be used to enhance Borgess Lee Memorial Hospital’s oncology facilities.

“This is the biggest event we have ever had,” said Tom Carlson, president of the Lee Memorial Foundation. “This, I think by far, was our biggest event.”

In addition to selling 350 tickets at $50 a piece, the foundation also raffled off packages at the tasting totaling more than $7,000. Though the totals raised have not been completely calculated yet, Carlson estimates that the event generated between $20,000 and $25,000 to be donated to Borgess Lee’s oncology department.

Working to raise money for the hospital is what made all the work of planning the event worth it to Carlson, he said.

“One of the biggest assets that this community has is community hospital in the town,” he said. “If we can bring people together for the common cause of the hospital, that’s great.”

Carlson thanked everyone who attended the event for making it a success.

“This event has built on itself year to year,” he said. “Word has gotten out, and people know it’s a great cause. They know it’s a fun event. We make sure we bring in new wineries and breweries each year, and this has just grown and people keep coming back. When you have a fun event for a good cause, people tend to show up.”

Carlson also said he wanted to thank those who helped make the event a reality, including the nearly 20 sponsors who underwrote the event.

“We had underwriters who helped from anywhere from $150 to $2,000,” Carlson said. “That really helps us put the event on and be a more profitable event.”

Already, Carlson said he looking forward to another successful tasting next year.

“I’m hoping we can continue to grow,” he said.

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