Leelanau Grown 🌱 Feast & Fundraiser
Nurturing the Seeds of Tomorrow
Tuesday, July 23rd, 2024
THANK YOU to those who joined us for an unforgettable evening at Aurora Cellars, where warmth, camaraderie, and a shared sense of purpose filled the air despite the rainy weather!
We were delighted to see both old friends and new faces come together to support the Leelanau Children's Center's Financial Aid Program. This support extends far beyond financial contributions; it highlights the importance of community engagement and our collective belief in nurturing the potential of future generations.
Thanks to our combined generosity, $120,550 was raised for LCC’s Financial Aid Program!
This remarkable result will have a profound impact on the LCC Financial Aid Program, providing families in our community with access to quality early childhood education. This directly translates into brighter futures and endless possibilities for Leelanau County’s youngest citizens, nurturing the seeds of tomorrow.
Thanks beyond measure to our volunteers and Community Partner Sponsors whose support has made our annual fundraising events - Leelanau Grown and the LCC Golf Scramble - the most successful to date!
Thank you for showing our community what it means to be Leelanau Grown! Share our story with a friend!
Are you a business owner? Register your business or organization as an LCC Community Partner Sponsor and receive promotional benefits for your business throughout 2024 and at our two signature events: the LCC Golf Scramble and Leelanau Grown: Feast & Fundraiser.
Click the link below for more info on how your business can partner with LCC this year.
If you have a business or have interest in supporting LCC and our fundraising events as a Community Partner Sponsor, click the link below or send us an email to learn more.
Thank you to our Leelanau Grown Event Partners:
2023 Leelanau Grown: Feast & Fundraiser
Event to Impact!
The Leelanau Children’s Center’s (LCC) annual Leelanau Grown Feast & Fundraiser raised a record $132,680 during its annual event, held August 9th, 2023, at Aurora Vineyards. The evening was filled with warmth, camaraderie and a shared sense of purpose as over 180 guests gathered to support the Leelanau Children’s Center Scholarship Fund. “We were thrilled to see old friends and new faces coming together to make a difference,” Heidi Kruse, Executive Director, stated. The support goes beyond the financial aspect. It reinforces the importance of community engagement and the belief that Early Childhood Education is important and should be accessible to all children. “Our community plays an important role in nurturing the potential of our future generations,” Kruse added.
The annual event featured a special “In the Vines” VIP experience where guests were treated to a tasting of award-winning wines from Aurora Cellars paired with farm-to-table culinary creations from Island Thyme Catering. Simpson Family Estates co-owner, Taylor Simpson, shared her thoughts on local winemaking while the estate winemaker, Drew Perry, spoke about the nuances of the award-winning wines served. Coenraad Stassen, Director of Winemaking & Estate Manager at Brys Estate, shared stories of winemaking in his native South Africa.
The main event included entertainment by Liz Landry and Blake Elliott and a farm-to-table feast followed by a program that included an inspiring testimonial by Gerardo Vasquez, LCC Alumni, on the impact the scholarship program had on his family. Guests participated in a special “Raise the Paddle” event as they worked to raise $40,000 in hopes of capturing an anonymous matching gift of $40,000. Through amazing community support, $92,680 was raised for the LCC Scholarship Fund which allowed LCC to capture the additional $40,000 propelling the total funds raised to $132,680. LCC gives special thanks to the event host, Aurora Cellars and the Simpson Family Estates and sponsors: The Michael Chetcuti Foundation, The Collins Family Foundation, David Chapman Agency, West Bend Insurance, Orchard Breeze Flower Farm, The Find North and the Leelanau Enterprise.
Funds raised from this event will ensure all families have equal access to affordable Early Childhood Education in Leelanau County. “The additional revenue from the event allows us to invest in our highly experienced staff, providing professional development and a livable wage, ensuring the highest quality standards of our program for our children” stated Rita Wessels, Board President.
The 2023 LCC Scholarship Fund campaign was open from June 1 - August 31st, 2023.
For more information on LCC and its programs, for those who want to provide lasting support to the communities’ children, or to volunteer, please contact Heidi Kruse, Executive Director, at 231-256-7841.