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Hernando Today

Relay Team Turns Wine Into Money

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TONY HOLT

Published: January 26, 2008

BROOKSVILLE - BROOKSVILLE - They earned the highest award last year, so they will have to work hard to top what they accomplished in 2007.

That doesn't mean they aren't willing to try — and on last Sunday, they did so in "spiritual" fashion.

The Brooksville Regional Hospital Relay for Life team held a wine-tasting fundraiser Sunday complete with door prizes and local catering. It was held at Wine Toad, a sit-in spirits store located at Silverthorn Square.

"There are no limits to what you can do in terms of raising funds and bringing people in," said organizer Carole Stewart.

Last year, the hospital's Relay team earned the Platinum Award by having the most members and raising the most money for the American Cancer Society prior to and during the Brooksville Relay for Life.

This year, the Brooksville event will be held April 25-26 at Hernando High School. Spring Hill's Relay for Life will take place one week earlier (April 18-19) at Springstead High School.

Team members aim to raise at least $20,000, the same as last year's total.

"It's really a great way to meet people in the community," Stewart said, explaining why Relay for Life events are worth attending at least once. "You get to meet people within your organization you wouldn't ordinarily meet. You can build a lasting friendship afterwards."

There were various stations set up inside Wine Toad with several red and white varieties of wine to sample.

Marco's Pizza, Hello Deli and Pit Stop Ice Cream provided the food. Accurate Chiropractic, Upper Deck Restaurant, Starbucks and Topline Tire and Auto were among the local businesses that donated prizes.

Team leader Lori Dennison attended the fundraiser as did Brooksville Regional Chief Executive Officer Kathy Burke.

"I'm very impressed with the commitment here," Burke said of her employees and the community at large. "It's amazing how a team can volunteer their own time and their own resources to help others. The community is very lucky to have (them)."

The Relay for Life is a walk to benefit all cancers. The hospital is adopting a rock-n-roll theme this year. Last year, the award winners chose a western theme — "outlawing cancer."

The fundraiser was the second community service event hosted by the Wine Toad. On the preceding Friday, locals visited the store to sample freshly rolled cigars in honor of Eric Henwood, a Black Hawk helicopter pilot who recently arrived home to Spring Hill from a tour of duty in Iraq.

To commemorate his return, the Wine Toad hosted a Cigars for Troops Overseas Drive.

Stewart said the idea of holding a fundraiser at the store simply came to her during a recent Relay meeting.

"I know this place is really popular," she said.

The Wine Toad is owned by John Sweeney, of the Hernando County School Board, and his wife, Vivienne, and is located at 14251 Powell Road.

The hospital's Relay team also is relying on e-mails, flyers throughout the local neighborhoods, additional fundraisers and old-fashioned word of mouth.

"There are more than enough people out there who want to be involved in this," Stewart said. "It's an event everybody can be involved in."

Reporter Tony Holt can be reached at 352-544-5283 or wholt@hernandotoday.com.

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