For the Qualicum Beach Rotary Club (PM), their annual wine festival — appropriately called Winefest — is their second largest fundraiser of the year.
Last year, says club president Ray Lajeunesse, they raised close to $7,500. The larger fundraiser is their partnership with the local chamber of commerce for a gala event.
Winefest, said Lajeunesse, is a mostly social gathering, which features the wares of 23 Island and B.C. wineries as well as the bottles from West Coast distributors. Tastings take place throughout the night, as guests at this almost-always sold-out event sampled the different wines.
“This is our ninth Winefest,” Lajeunesse said, adding proceeds from their fundraisers throughout the year are used in both local and international programs.
Locally, Lajeunesse said they fund a good portion of the Qualicum Beach fire department’s fire camp.
So, the firefighters serve appetizers during Winefest to show their support of Rotary.
He added the local club sponsors an exchange student to live and learn in the community — and to send a local student overseas.
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