How we work with Charity Organizations
The Marietta Wine Market has Wine Tastings every Wednesday 5pm-7pm and Saturday 2pm-4pm. Each week we sponsor a different local charity and serve complimentary hors d’oeuvres.
The Marietta Wine Market can easily accommodate 80-100 people. The size of the event really depends upon how well the charity promotes it. For larger organizations we have scheduled both days for others we have found that the tastings are more successful if they focus on just a Wed or Sat. Dates are often scheduled prior to a larger fund-raisers organizations have planned so we can help promote their event and raise money for silent auction requests. I am currently booking charities for 2021, so check your calendar and give me a call. 404-432-6214 or send me an e-mail at heardk1@bellsouth.net.
THIS IS HOW IT WORKS:
Each week we choose a different theme, winery, or region for our tasting. I send out a weekly e-mail to our customers to let them know about upcoming events and tastings at the Marietta Wine Market. In addition to our events, I also try to let them know about other shops, restaurants, and special events that are planned on the square. Many forward this information on to their friends or check our web site that is updated each week.
Our goal is not only to raise $$ for the charity, but also help create awareness for the organization and their needs. We find that people give more when they know more about the organization. Therefore, we try to have a representative or literature about the charity at each event. Wine Tastings are also more successful when the charity helps in promoting their event.
The standard suggested donation amount is $10. Donations are accepted by cash, check or credit card. The Marietta Wine Market provides light hors d’ourves at each of the tastings and will typically taste 4-6 wines that day. Proceeds from the tasting (Donations minus Cost of Wine) are then given to the selected charity.
This organization can also utilize this opportunity to raise additional money. Some give away items and ask for in-kind donations. Others may provide entertainment, sell charity related items or find other creative ways to raise funds for their organization. (Fashion Shows, Celebrity Appearances, Book Signing, Honored Guests).
We ask the organizations to help get the word out. They can help by putting the event in a newsletter or in the paper; listing the event on their web site and their social media; e-mailing their volunteers or supporters; or simply getting together a group of friends for a fun night out.
How does the Marietta Wine Market benefit from all of this? EXPOSURE and your ongoing support. Although we have been opened since May 2005, new people walk through our doors every day for the first time. Some live close by and did not know we were here until they read about us in the paper or magazine, or heard someone talk about an event on a morning show. Others live farther away and come out to support a certain charity they heard about from your e-mails or newsletter. Then there are those who just come out to meet new friends and enjoy good wine…. all for a good cause.
Many of the organizations ask for Silent Auction items for fund raisers that they hold throughout the year. With enough notice we try to put the charity on the calendar a few weeks prior to their large fund raiser. This helps us raise $$ for donations and can be used to promote upcoming events. A popular Silent Auction Item has been a “Wine Tasting Party for 20.”
How does a charity get on our calendar?
Some of the local charities are selected because they give back directly to the needy in our community. MUST Ministries, Cobb Christmas, Center for Family and Human Resources….
Some support the Arts or the Restoration of our community. Cobb Landmark Society, Save the Strand, Georgia Ballet, Cobb Symphony…
Others charities support those that give the support. Cobb Junior League, the Loop Group, Angels With Badges…
Did you know that there are more households with pets than kids in Atlanta? Since pets touch the lives of so many of us, many charities selected are for our four legged friends. Homeless Pets, Cobb Humane Society, Good Mews, Happy Tails, Mostly Mutts, Our Pals Place, Cherokee Humane Society, Atlanta Pet Rescue…
Don’t Forget the Kids. Cystic Fibrosis, Atlanta Children’s Shelter, Boys Scouts of America. …
Some deal with the Heath and Wellness in our community, WellStar Health Place, American Heart Association GO RED MARIETTA, Susan G. Komen –Breast Cancer 3 Day…
There are so many that need our help. We would like to help them all. We try to select charities that personally touch our hearts and those that we feel may touch the hearts of others.
Come to a tasting, see what we are all about. If you have a charity that you would like us to sponsor send me some information about your organization. I can’t do them all, but keep a book and try to work as many in as possible. Karen Heard 770-919-1574
Directions from I-75 S: Exit 265 North Marietta Loop, Go West (RIGHT at end of ramp), You will cross over HWY 41. Turn left on Church Street, this leads you to the Square, then turns into Old Powder Springs at Marietta Pizza (Roswell Rd / Whitlock). We are located next to Marietta Pizza .