By Khalida Sarwari
As summer draws to a close, opportunities to eat and mingle with friends become less frequent. As our collective focus shifts to school and work after the Labor Day weekend, the Campbell Rotary Club is offering a chance to enjoy one of the last of evenings of summer and help raise money for local students at the Valley Flavors 2012 event on Sept. 9.
The event, now in its second year, is a benefit for the Rotary’s youth charities, said David Keller, a chairman for the event.
Proceeds will go toward Campbell Middle School’s science camp, Rosemary Elementary School’s library and reading programs, the Interact Club at Westmont High School, the Rotary’s Enterprise Leadership Camp and the EMQ FamliesFirst organization, which provides mental health treatment, foster care and social services to families recovering from trauma, abuse and addiction. Money raised will also be allocated to scholarships for high school students, speechcontests, international youth exchange programs and various Cub Scout and Little League teams in Campbell.
Last year’s event raised about $6,000 and drew an estimated 125 people.
“We were really thrilled with that,” said Keller. “We’d like to continue the success this year.”
The event will feature several local restaurants and wineries.Among the eateries are A Bellagio, Chapala Mexican, Nature’s Table, The Mint Leaf and The Mynt. Each establishment will bring a souvenir dish that attendees can sample with wine pairings from wineries such as Stefania, Travieso, Kruse, Canyon Oaks and Joseph George.
Valley Flavors will also feature music and a raffle. Tickets for the raffle are $5. Prizes include gift certificates for local businesses and restaurants and gift baskets.
The event is open to all and will take place on Sept. 9 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Orchard City Banquet Hall, 1 W. Campbell Ave.
The admission fee is $45. Attendees are encouraged to buy their tickets in advance at www.campbellrotary.org. as they will not be available at the door.
The Rotary Club of Campbell was chartered in 1949, and serves the communities of Campbell, Willow Glen and West San Jose.
