TEMECULA, CA — Claudio Ponte, owner of Ponte Family Estates Winery in Temecula, California, announced today that the winery is donating $3,000 to the Oak Grove Center for Education Treatment and the Arts in Murrieta California.
The funds will go towards refurbishing the boys’ dormitory’s common area. “As with many wineries in the area, we receive hundreds of donation requests from very worthy causes,” says Denise Sutterfield, marketing manager for the Ponte Family Estate. “When Ponte opened in 2003, Claudio Ponte decided to focus attention on charities that aid needy or suffering children in the Temecula and Murrieta area. Oak Grove was suggested by one of our managers as a potentially exciting charity partner. After taking a personal tour of the school from Executive Director Tammy Wilson, we fell in love with the kids, the agency’s mission statement and its program of work. As a result, we donated $3,000 this year and hope to continue our support in 2009.”
Oak Grove is a nonprofit 24-hour residential and educational treatment center that serves 76 children. These children range in age from 9 to 18 years. In addition to the 76 students that live on-campus, they also have additional 80-90 students who attend their school day programs. Children are admitted with a variety of psychological, social, emotional, behavioral, medical and neurological problems with concurrent behavioral difficulties, school problems, family dysfunction and alcohol or substance abuse. Many of the children have suffered physical and/or sexual abuse, other traumas, or have experienced many other social, emotional or behavioral challenges.
“At Oak Grove, we believe in children and their ability to grow, heal, recover and rise above the challenges they face,” states Tammy Wilson, Chief Executive Officer of Oak Grove.” “The Mission of Oak Grove is to rebuild the lives of at-risk children and their families through educating, healing, restoring relationships, building character and instilling hope.” Tammy continues by stating, “We believe that the work we do today builds a better tomorrow.” Oak Grove accomplishes this through outstanding school and therapy programs, a talented clinical team and a dedicated staff that is committed to creating change in the lives of these children.
Ponte Winery located in the heart of the Temecula Valley Wine Country, is open for tastings daily from 10am to 5pm. Visit us at PonteWinery.com. For more information about Oak Grove Center for Education Treatment and the Arts, or to learn how you can help, please contact Tammy Wilson at Oak-Grove.org.
For more information regarding Ponte Family Estate Winery and to arrange a private tour and lunch with our Chef and Winemaker, please contact our Public Relations Manager, Linda Kissam.
Photo: Youth Performing Arts Group from Oak Grove Center in Murrieta, Ca.
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