Funds from 14th Annual Kiwanis and Mayors’ Winemaker Dinner will support ECHO’s Community Shower Program

ATASCADERO — The Atascadero Kiwanis Club recently presented a donation in the amount of$80,000 to the El Camino Homeless Organization (ECHO). The donation came from the 14th annual Atascadero Kiwanis and Mayors’ Winemaker Dinner held in June. Atascadero Kiwanis has awarded in excess of $1 million to organizations since their inception in 1969. 

“The support from the Kiwanis and Mayors’ Winemaker Dinner is truly transformative,” said Wendy Lewis, CEO of ECHO. “The funds raised will enable us to enhance our services and better support the individuals and families we serve. We are deeply grateful for this partnership and the community’s generosity.”

On Friday, June 21, community members headed to the Pavillion on the Lake for the fundraiser. The venue was packedwith wineries, state officials, Atascadero’s mayor, and residents from all over San Luis Obispo County who came out to support the Kiwanis and ECHO. This year’s Winemaker Dinner raised the most in the organization’s history. Throughout the year, the nearly 100 Kiwanis members hear from different nonprofits and organizations that help them decide who will be their dinner beneficiary. 

Kiwanis President Cyndi Workman has been a Kiwanis member since 2011 and worked on the Winemaker Dinner Committee as its chairman. At this year’s dinner, a total of $150,000 was raised. 

“This year was the largest amount we have ever raised, and then I believe it’s the largest amount we’ve been able to give also,” said Workman. She attributed the high success of the event was in part to the amount of supporters ECHO has. 

“We generally look for a nonprofit that is in our community,” Workman added. “A lot of times, it’s someone we have worked with and are very supportive. We’ve been supportive of ECHO for many, many years and worked with them on projects at the shelter. And Kiwanis like to build things, so we’ve helped them build some things. And, of course, we serve meals.”

The Winemaker Dinner started in 2011 and has benefitted the Joy Park playground, Boys & Girls Club, LIGHTHOUSE, and ALF Food Pantry. It has also helped graduating seniors further their education with scholarships. The dinner and fundraiser was originally called the Mayor’s Winemaker Dinner but then became the Kiwanis and Mayor’s Winemaker Dinner due to Kiwanis always being a part of it. The event was started by past Atascadero Mayor Tom O’Malley.

Last year, ECHO helped 201 individuals and children get back into homes, and this year, they have already helped 118 people get rehoused from both their Paso Robles and Atascadero locations.

“It’s pretty easy to settle [on] ECHO because they do such a wonderful job, and it’s such an important thing that they’redoing for our community,” said the Winemaker Dinner Committee Chairman Steve Wrightson.

ECHO Director of Operations and Development Austin Solheim told Atascadero News, “The funds raised will significantly enhance the quality of life for many in our community by supporting ECHO’s Community Shower Program and other vital Kiwanis projects. This record-breaking achievement exemplifies the power of community spirit and generosity.”

Kiwanis is a service organization and nonprofit with a focus on children in the community. With about 100 active members they are one of the largest organizations in the area.

“One of the reasons is because we have so many members, and many of them are very devoted to our cause and are looking for things to,” said Workman. “We’re looking for things to do and to help fund all the time.”

For more information on the Kiwanis Club of Atascadero, visit atascaderokiwanis.org

Feature Image: From left are Austin Solheim, a director with ECHO; Judy Meyer, Kiwanian; Mark Dariz, Kiwanis treasurer; Blaine Stauffer, Kiwanian; and Cyndi Workman, Kiwanis president. They are shown holding up the real and ceremonial checks for $80,000, the amount donated by the Kiwanis to ECHO. Photo by Rick Evans