Wine company offers sips for charity
by Sarah Rubenoff
North Raleigh News
Charity and wine don't always mix, but Christine Worsham of North Raleigh attended a friend's wine tasting party that did just that - and she was hooked.
"I fell in love with the whole concept immediately," Worsham said.
Wines for Humanity, a company based in Illinois, donates 25 percent of its earnings to charity, has wine advisors, such as Worsham, in eight states and plans to raise more than $1 million by 2012 for local charities around these areas.
"It is in our hearts to help our communities," Worsham said. "You can help a lot of people with what we have at Wines for Humanity, and we certainly try."
Wine advisors like Worsham, 37, provide in-home wine tastings with wines that span the globe. At the end of the evening, if guests wish to order the wines they have sampled, then Worsham will donate a portion of the proceeds back to local charities.
"They are a great way to get friends together," said Jennifer Worth, who has had numerous wine tastings with Worsham. "Chris makes it so fun and educational, but the best thing about it is knowing you are not just having fun, you are helping your community."
The main benefactor in the Triangle is Urban Ministries of Wake County, a nonprofit that works to alleviate the effects of poverty in the area.
"Our vision is that no family in America with children should become homeless through circumstances beyond their control," Worsham said.
About $7,000 has already been donated to Urban Ministries over the past three years, and the money has gone to help 50 to 70 families keep their heat, electricity and water running or helped pay overdue rent.
"The representatives of Wines for Humanity ... have helped Urban Ministries' Crisis Support program tremendously," said Anne Burke, executive director of Urban Ministries of Wake County. "They are so supportive and engaged in this community. They sincerely want to help."
On top of company donations, many of the wine advisors in the area, including Worsham, donate, time, clothes and food to Urban Ministries on a regular basis.
Worsham will even be asking wine party hosts to invite their guests to bring food donations for the holidays to stock Urban Ministries' food pantry.
Apart from being charitable, Worsham promises "wine connoisseurs will not be disappointed" with the products.
Worsham will show up with three whites, three reds and a dessert wine based on the host's preferences.
"We pour samples to each guest and provide them with some wine knowledge and some great stories," Worsham said.
Worsham, a stay-at-home mom, always wanted to do something for the community.
"With two small children, I don't have a lot of time to volunteer outside the house," she said.
After attending her first Wines for Humanity party, Worsham had found an outlet.
"Once I figured out how to allocate time for this, I got started and have raised a lot of money for charity, made some new friends and have helped out with my family's bills," she said.
Wines for Humanity's motto, "A passion for wine and a heart for others," has become Worsham's own.
"Helping others should be fun and rewarding, and it truly is," she said.