On Thursday September 23, 2021, at the Olde Towne Athletic Club, the East Cobb Civitan Club, in partnership with the Georgia District Civitan Foundation, will host their annual signature event to benefit the many community charities they support and this year, they are pulling out all the stops. The Wine and Vine Market many have come to love still boasts great food, specialty wines and unique auction items but now they are taking the party poolside and hosting live music in hopes of offering something for everyone to say goodbye to a dismal year of social isolation from good times. Record attendance is anticipated at the 2021 Wine and Vine Poolside with special performances by Band of Misfits.
The event has become a staple in East Cobb for 30 years, an evening of socializing, dining and shopping. As with all events in 2020, it was cancelled due to the pandemic. Nevertheless, the group remained active throughout the months of sheltering in place with service projects and fundraising and amazingly, was still able to present donations to over a dozen local nonprofits without any proceeds from an event.
“We are so proud of how much we have been able to accomplish as a group in spite of Covid,” stated Lee Ann Sherry, Club President. “Everyone rolled up their sleeves, got creative and learned to ‘pivot’, as we all say these days. A huge part of our success has been the area business sponsors who have joined us. Residential Funding Solutions was our presenting sponsor in 2020 and although cancelled, East Cobb brothers and owners Travis and Tyler Johnson stuck by us. They were the first to step up this year with another $5,000 sponsorship, for which we are forever grateful”, commented Sherry.
East Cobb Civitans are a civic organization with a passion for supporting the disabilities community, particularly those with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Since the first event in 1991, the event has generated more than $620,000 for area charities including Special Needs Cobb, Adult Disability Medical Healthcare, Bethany Children’s Services, the Tommy Nobis Center and many more!
Tickets are only $30 per person and guests will enjoy fabulous wines, ample hors d’oeuvres, exciting auction items and a chance for a windfall with 50/50 raffle tickets. Many have professed they are excited about attending but are focused on the music. “ I cannot wait to enjoy live music again at such a pretty venue”, said East Cobber and Band of Misfits fan Andrea Brantley. “I love them, 70’s, 80’, 90’s music, they do it all.”
“We felt like everyone needed a reason to gather and celebrate more than ever after the year we all experienced”, stated Amber Medley, National Director of Development at INROADS and this year’s event co-chair. “As a relatively new member of Civitan, I made it my goal to change the dated image many young professionals may have of what a civic organization is. More rewarding opportunities to help those with disabilities have replaced boring meetings with stale programs and announcements. With families and careers taking precedence over volunteer work, we are changing just as the workforce has. And the first order of business is to move the needle on the fun factor” smiled Medley. “Offer a new take on the standard silent auction and crank up the band!”
In addition to Residential Funding Consultants, 2021 Wine and Vine Poolside leading sponsors include Phoenix Risk Advisors, Intrigue Salon, Atlanta Communities, Incompass Financial and Cay Communications, LLC. Additional sponsorships are still available. Visit www.wineandvinepoolside.com for more information. All Covid-19 safety protocols will be followed.
##########################################################################
2021 Wine and Vine Poolside, Thursday September 23, 2001, auction open at 6:00 om , music begins at 7:00 pm. Olde Towne Athletic Club is located at 4950 Olde Towne Pkwy, Marietta, GA 30068. 21 and over only please. Tickets will be available in advance at and at the door. For more information email ambermedley@gmail.com. For more information about Civitans International and East Cobb Civitans, please contact Carolyn Polakowski, East Cobb Civitan President Elect at Carolyn@caycommunications.com.
