The fourth annual Spring Break food and wine fundraiser for safetynet medical clinics in the greater Sacramento region was held at the CSUS Alumni Center on Friday, April 11th. The event was highlighted by jazz music, gourmet food and wine, clinic representatives sharing their stories, silent and live auctions, and a fashion show featuring local luminaries. Special guest was physician Leon Owens from Mercy, who was recognized for his decades of service to safety-net care. Thanks to the generosity of sponsors, donors, and guests, the event raised $216,000 for the clinics – almost twice the fundraising total from last year./p>

Corporate sponsors included Kaiser Permanente, UC Davis Health System, Epic Systems, Mercy, Kaneski Associates, American River HealthPro Credit Union and Sutter Health. Media sponsors were Sacramento Magazine, CBS13/CW31 and Capital Public Radio. Food and wine were donated and served by Chocolate Fountains Delight, Crush 29, Davis Super Suppers, Diandra's Bakery, Hawks, Il Fiorello, Magpie Caterers, Marriott's Catering, Ma Jong's, Mason's at the Park Downtown, Mikuni, Randy Peters Catering and Event Planning, Tapa the World and Kashbah Lounge, Whole Foods Market, Arger Martucci, Fiddlehead Cellars, Henry Spoto Wines, Heringer Estates, Mevany Wines, Michael- David, Nicholson Ranch, Pedroncelli Winery, Seavey Vineyard, Silver Oak Cellars, Spoto Winery, Senders Wines and Whitehall Lane Winery.

Clothing for the fashion show was provided by Five Figs Couture, Patrick James and Serendipity Boutique. Artistic partners were CinsayShaunz Jewelry, SERVIS ARTS, Phil Evans and Sam Tubiolo. Many thanks to Glenda Fox Photography, Bashore Design (graphics), Ellis & Ellis (signage) and SmallbizWebsites.net (website) for donating their services. Numerous businesses and individuals were kind enough to support the cause by purchasing benefactor, patron and VIP packages or donating items for our auctions.

Event coordinator was Angie Burek and volunteer coordinator was Midge Aldinger. The wine committee was headed up by Tom Nesbitt and Beth Abad, and Lesli Chuck oversaw the food and fashion show. Other planning team members included Tom Atkins, Kathy Barnett, Colleen Costello-Kreidler, Amy Jouan, Joe Fergerson, Robert Fong, Nancy Novotny, Kelly Kaneski, Steve Kaneski, Kathleen Kelly, Kathleen McKenna, Pam Oster, Carol Serre, Lisa Sietsema, Scott Trujillo and JoEllen Welsh.

Event volunteers included Brenda Angelos, Debbie Angove, Tina Bozzini, Brandon Burek, Joe Burek, Carol Butterfield, Debra Camp, Dawn Casteel, Kelly Chuck, Mike Hughes, Lisa Johnsrud, Deborah McCovery, Vicki Nagano, Erin Page, Ruth Ricci, Shannon Shafer, Jessica Walker, Sachi Wong and Sigma Mu Delta.

The event was produced by Serotonin Surge Charities, a 501(c)3 public benefit non-profit organization that exists to leverage volunteerism and collaboration to make this world a better place to live. We invite you find out more about The Surge at http://www.serotoninsurge.org