$2.3M raised at Paso Robles event for Must! Charities

– Must! Charities raised over $2.3 million at its Purpose event, a wine and lifestyle auction held at L’Aventure Winery in Paso Robles. The gathering, attended by 120 wine and business industry leaders and philanthropists from across the nation, showcased the power of collective giving in the Greater Paso Robles Wine Region.

The event, now in its fourth year, featured an intimate setting and a lively atmosphere as attendees waved their paddles, raising funds for Must! Charities’ initiatives. “The entire Purpose team is overwhelmed at the generosity displayed and also incredibly proud for creating an experience and atmosphere that inspires people to give,” said Becky Gray, executive director of Must! Charities. “It takes tremendous effort and year after year the guests respond with staggering generosity. Generosity that will make significant impacts in our region.”

The event combines fine dining, auction lots, and live performances. This year’s event was held at L’Aventure Winery, owned by the Asseo family, with dinner provided by Les Petites Canailles, owned by Chef Julien Asseo. “It was such a special and intimate evening,” Chloe Asseo, this year’s Purpose host, said. “Not only was it at my family’s winery but you could see and feel the camaraderie of our community. Memories were created, drinks were shared, and laughter and tears were abundant as we all came together for this amazing purpose. By the end of the night we were proud of how much was raised and felt hope for the future.”

The highlight of the evening was the “Fund a Need” segment, which alone raised over $1.1 million. These funds will support a year-long partnership between Must! Charities and Lumina Alliance, focused on providing transitional housing and services for survivors of sexual assault and intimate partner violence.

“Clearly, we saw through the success of our paddle raise, that our event guests, along with us, believe that every individual deserves to live a life free from the trauma of sexual assault and intimate partner violence,” said Randy Gray, community project manager of Must! Charities. “As a community, through this partnership with Lumina Alliance, we are here to help families with a hand up, ensuring they have the support they need to embark on a new path in life.”

For more information about Must! Charities and its fundraising campaigns, visit mustcharities.org or call (805) 226-5788.