Loving Connections: Castro Valley Ranch Raises $41,000 to Help Children

SonRise Equestrian Foundation, a nonprofit with a ranch in Castro Valley, today announced that it raised $41,000 during its fifth annual at Wente Vineyards in Livermore.

More than 200 people attended the Sept. 16 festival, which is the foundation’s largest fundraiser of the year.

At its 6496 Crow Canyon Road ranch, SonRise helps children going through a difficult time make loving connections with horses, at no cost. It provides riding and horse care programs to children ages 6-18. The organization also brings its miniature horses to camps, schools and children’s hospice centers.

“This year for our fifth anniversary, we decided to change the venue to Wente Vineyards for a more formal celebration,” said executive director Alana Koski. “We are grateful to the many children, volunteers and supporters that have been a part of SonRise and are continuing to help it grow.”

Though the evening was windy, attendees seemed to enjoy themselves. Blackie and Shania, two of the miniature horses from the SonRise Traveling Tails program greeted the guests. Attendees then enjoyed a gourmet dinner and wines from Wente, dancing to the music of Jack Pollard, Tiffany pendant raffle, wine cellar raffle and live and silent auctions.

About SonRise

SonRise Equestrian Foundation, based in Danville, is a nonprofit guided by Christian based values, that makes a positive difference for children living with social, emotional or physical challenges including terminal illness. Participating children develop confidence, integrity and responsibility through mentoring and peer relationships centered on the care and enjoyment of horses.

The organization offers four programs for free to qualified participants: In the Saddle, a one-on-one riding program, Team Equine, a working ranch program, Traveling Tails, a hospice program involving miniature horses and Play Day, a day of horse-related activities for children in the community held quarterly. All four programs help children develop confidence through mentoring and peer relationships through the care and enjoyment of horses. There is currently a waiting list to participate in each of these programs. Visit www.sonriseequestrian.org for more information.

About Wente Family Estates

Wente Family Estates encompasses three distinctive wineries, all nestled in the southern foothills of the beautiful Livermore Valley. Wente Vineyards, Murrieta’s Well and Tamas Estates. These wineries source 100 percent of their fruit from the Wente family’s sustainably farmed estate vineyards located in the Livermore Valley and Arroyo Seco regions of California. Each winery offers its own unique portfolio of wines, from small-lot rarities to those for everyday enjoyment. Owned and managed by the fourth and fifth generations, the Wente family celebrated 125 years of winemaking excellence in 2008. To learn more, visit www.wentevineyards.com,www.murrietaswell.com and www.tamasestates.com