Literacy for Life’s annual fundraiser, Reading Between the Wines, is turning to the bayou for inspiration.
This year’s event will feature Cajun-inspired stories, food with a bayou twist, a wine raffle, live and silent auction and wine. General surgeon Dr. Rennie Howard, who is semi-retired, will speak about his first novel “Bayou Cocktail” at the fundraiser event Oct. 9.
Howard grew up in Louisiana, which served as inspiration for his novel. “Bayou Cocktail” does have a mysterious twist and draws some inspiration from his work in the medical field, as well.
The fundraiser, held from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 9, costs $65 and tickets are available for purchase online. Attendees can participate in the first-ever Reading Between the Wines “wine pull” raffle for $20. Each person who purchases a $20 raffle ticket will win a bottle of wine; more than 70 bottles of wine have been donated from the Literacy for Life’s Board of Directors and friends. Every bottle has a special note from a Literacy for Life learner and is worth at least $15, but there are some vintages worth many more.
Attendees can also bid during the silent auction on items including handcrafted jewelry, private tours behind the scenes of area attractions, being a guest radio DJ and original drawings of “Clifford the Big Red Dog” signed by Norman Bridwell. A live auction features private dinner parties from the area’s top chefs and a Richmond International Raceway 2014 ultimate fan experience.
Literacy for Life is a nonprofit based in the Historic Triangle. It is committed to teaching literacy skills to adults in order to promote self-sufficiency, better health and meaningful participation in society. Literacy for Life volunteer tutors aided more than 500 people in the community to attain those skills. A waiting list for services from Literacy for Life exists. The nonprofit will also honor Ferguson Enterprises with its first Community Partner Award for the company’s contributions.
