Fallbrook area vintners teamed up with St. John's to support Camp Pendleton Armed Forces YMCA

FALLBROOK – St. John's Episcopal Church hosted its Second Annual Fallbrook Vintners' Showcase, a gala wine tasting and auction event benefiting the Armed Forces YMCA – Camp Pendleton, Saturday, Oct. 14. This organization has since 1942 worked to relieve some of the unique burdens of military life borne by individuals and families serving at Camp Pendleton.

Tami Miller, Director of Services for the ASYMCA, explained in her opening remarks that newly arrived young Marines and their families "start fresh" without the aid of relatives, friends and home community networks. "Your support enables us to step in and provide the help they need by offering them services such as low-cost child care, kids' after school activities, and emergency financial assistance," she said.

Proudly poured as representative of the Fallbrook area were wines from Adobe Hill Winery, Monserate Winery and Myrtle Creek Vineyards. Cerutti Charcuterie set before the guests a bountiful grazing table and the music of guitarist Drew Waters kept them in a happy mood.

Following a delightful afternoon of discovering Fallbrook wines, partaking of delicious food and engaging in a lively benefit auction, Marti Van Houten and Leann McStay, co-coordinators of the event, closed with a big "Thank you" to all whose cooperation made the showcase such a success.

St. John's has been designated a "Veteran/Military Friendly Congregation" by the Military Chaplains Association. Through events such as Fallbrook Vintners' Showcase, it seeks to demonstrate its support for the local military community. Anyone wishing to donate to the Camp Pendleton Armed Services YMCA should visit http://www.camppendleton.asymca.org for more information.

Submitted by St. John's Episcopal Church.