It’s All About Wine, Women and Shoes!
Founded in 1993, Sarasota’s Forty Carrots Family Center is known for their stellar community outreach programs and their preschool. CEO Michelle Kapreilian and her staff are dedicated to enriching the lives of children and families through these programs which include parenting education, child development and mental health services. The work they do serving Sarasota and Manatee counties is exceptional and the support they receive from the community is a true testament to the work they do.
I can go on and on about how crucial they are to the community, but I want to tell you about their signature luncheon fundraiser, “Wine Women and Shoes.” I have been involved with the sold-out, all-day event for years as a volunteer in several capacities. It is one of Sarasota’s most sought-after tickets and here’s why.
The WWS event exceeds the expectations of even those with the most discerning taste and is an always over-the-top celebration with more fun than you can shake a stiletto at! “The Best Day Ever” is, without a doubt, “the ultimate girl’s day” and takes place at—where else—but the luxury five-star hotel, The Ritz Carlton. Vendors and vintners come from all over the world line the hallways and outdoor space creating an upscale market experience. Silent and live auction items are available and feature some incredible once-in-a-lifetime experiences. The famous “Sole Men” are on hand for serving bubbly and photo ops. Guests come dressed to the nines in their sparkle and bling and are just simply fabulous. Let’s not forget the shoes which are nothing short of outrageous! Wine flows all day long which oftentimes has those outrageous shoes coming off when it’s time to dance at the epic afterparty! This is a chance to have fun, mingle, shop, wine, dine see and be seen—all to support children and families.
I am always fascinated by the behind-the-scenes production, and I can attest that it takes a village to bring an event of this magnitude to fruition. It is a year in the making and requires countless hours of planning, meetings and rehearsals on every level.
The ballroom of the Ritz is transformed into a magical setting, complete with a professional runway stage that rivals any big city fashion show. The professionally produced show is produced by two of the coolest women I know, Natalie Hayden Nelson, owner of Stella Runway Models and Joni Bergs. It features women’s fashions from Lotus and men’s fashions from Tweeds draped on the always stunning models. Natalie and Joni promise a knock your socks off show with many surprises of which I am sworn to secrecy about. Which brings me to the end of this part of my story. Stay tuned for more behind the scenes details of the actual show!!!
For tickets and more information and access to the auction items visit HERE.