Cheers to Charity 2017: raise your glass & raise some cash for charity

Planning for the 2017 Cheers to Charity fund-raising event, to be held on August 12, is underway. Aviator Park, at the Tehachapi Airport, will again be the setting for this annual fund raiser. Dozens of shade trees, plenty of parking and acres of grass provide a cool venue on a warm summer night.

Cheers to Charity benefits local nonprofit organizations and features live music, delicious tapas, scrumptious wines and skillfully made craft beers - beneath the canopy of a Tehachapi starry sky. Lively music, choice cigars (available for purchase), a silent auction, coffee and dessert bar and a non-alcoholic drink bar are also planned.

2017 proceeds will benefit these nonprofit organizations: Magdalene Hope, Tehachapi Parks Foundation, and Tehachapi Police Foundation. Tehachapi Economic Development Council, Tehachapi Mountain Search and Rescue, Tehachapi Rotary Foundation, Tehachapi VALLEY WRESTLING CLUB and Stallion Springs CERT will also benefit through their help with set-up, tear-down, parking, security and silent auction. Mini-grants will be available following the event. In three years, Cheers to Charity has distributed nearly $75,000 to 27 local nonprofit organizations.

"Talk has already begun as people reminisce about last year's event. We knocked it out of the ballpark, and this year will be even better. So far, a dozen sponsors have stepped up to support the event. For me, the best part of Cheers to Charity is the opportunity to financially support many local non-profit organizations," said Mary Beth Garrison, Cheers to Charity President. "Each year, we have new recipients as we spread funding among a variety of local non-profits."

Sponsors to-date include: BHE Renewables - A Berkshire Hathaway Energy Business, Advantage Real Estate Group, Sangera Subaru, Tammy Engel - Mortgage Advisor, Sun Select Outrageously Fresh Produce, Kern County District 2 County Supervisor Zack Scrivner, Rio Tinto, Bank of the Sierra, South Street Digital, Dave's Auto, Chris & Bruce Zigtema, and Lara & Mike Berard. The Loop Community Newspaper, Tehachapi News, Bakersfield Californian, and Bear Valley Cub are current media sponsors. Additional sponsorships are still available.

Tehachapi's own Dorner Family Vineyard, Souza Family Vineyards, Triassic Legacy Vineyards, and Stray Leaves Vineyard, will be on hand to pour their wine. Tlo Wines, Opolo Vineyards, Tobin James Cellars and Vines on the Marycrest will also join the celebration! Additional wines and craft beers will be added to the evening's offerings; hand-rolled cigars will be available from the Cigar Boss; and 16 home brewers will compete for bragging rights during the Home Brew Competition.

Tickets are available online at an Early Bird price of $50, through May 29, 2017. Tickets are $60 from May 30 through Aug. 11; remaining tickets will be $75 at the door. VIP tickets are early bird priced at $80. VIP ticket prices will increase to $100 on May 30. Log on to cheerstocharity.net or Eventbrite.com to purchase tickets or buy from a Cheers to Charity committee member. With an estimated 800 attendees, the evening will sell out quickly.

Raise your glass, and help raise money, as we cheer on Tehachapi Charities!