Wine and Design to Host Fundraiser on October 18th to Support Wake Forest Out of the Darkness Walk

Oct. 5, 2011 - PRLog -- WAKE FOREST, NC – Wine and Design will be partnering with the Wake Forest Out of the Darkness Walk to host a fundraiser at its painting studio located in the Shoppes of Heritage at 3325 Rogers Road, Suite 115 in Wake Forest.  The two-hour event will be held on Tuesday, October 18th at 6:30pm at a cost of $35 per person.  Attendees will be able to create a water lily painting.  

Co-owned by husband and wife Jonathan and Jenn Woodhull-Smith, Wine and Design provides the canvas, cover-up, paints, paintbrushes, and corkscrew and attendees provide a beverage of his or her choosing.  First-time painters, aspiring artists, or self-proclaimed pro’s browse the studio’s website to find a painting they would like to replicate.  Sessions are led by local artists that guide participants through a carefully-orchestrated, step-by-step process that promises a finished “masterpiece” at the end of the two-hour session.  Jenn Woodhull-Smith says that the October 18th event is the first fundraiser for the studio and she hopes that many people sign up, sip up, and support a very worthwhile cause.

“There are many people within our own community who have been impacted by suicide,” says Woodhull-Smith.  “This fundraiser is not only a wonderful way to do something positive for our community, but also a chance to do something nice for yourself.  I’m delighted to be able to host this event for Carolyn and AFSP.  It’s a vital cause, and I hope that our event will raise much needed money and attention to this wonderful agency.”

Net proceeds from the Wake Forest Out of the Darkness Walk benefit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.  AFSP (www.afsp.org) is the leading national not-for-profit organization exclusively dedicated to understanding and preventing suicide through research, education and advocacy, and to reaching out to people with mental disorders and those impacted by suicide.  To fully achieve its mission, AFSP engages in the following Five Core Strategies:  Funds scientific research; Offers educational programs for professionals; Educates the public about mood disorders and suicide prevention; Promotes policies and legislation that impact suicide and prevention; and Provides programs and resources for survivors of suicide loss and people at risk, and involves them in the work of the Foundation.

Wake Forest Out of the Darkness Walk Community Chair, Carolyn Zahnow, is the founder and facilitator of the Wake Forest Survivors of Suicide support group.  Zahnow attended a painting party at Wine and Design’s original location in Raleigh.  When she heard that a studio would be opening in Wake Forest, she thought a painting party would be a great way to raise money and awareness for her organization.

“Fundraisers are vital to AFSP and allow them to continue their research into why people die by suicide and to support survivors of suicide,” says Zahnow.  “Money raised from fundraisers will allow us to reach out to other survivors of suicide loss to show them that they can survive after losing a loved one to suicide.  We’re also able to share information in local schools about depression, provide training for facilitators, exhibit at local mental health fairs, and purchase materials to share.”

According to AFSP’s website, more than 36,000 people in the United States die every year by suicide.  It is the 10th leading cause of death in this country and is often characterized as a response to a single event or set of circumstances.  Zahnow says that she is grateful for Wine and Design’s generosity in helping with fundraising efforts and says that the painting event will give people another way to support the cause.

“Some people do not like to participate in walks, so I’m hoping that Wine and Design will offer them a fun and creative alternative to help support suicide prevention,” says Zahnow.  “I invite folks to join us for a good time, to be artistic, and to raise money for a great cause—saving lives!”

To register online for the Wake Forest Out of the Darkness Walk fundraiser, visit www.wineanddesignnc.com/wakeforest/calendar.  For more information, call (919) 453-0522.

About Wine and Design
Wine and Design provides “memories and a masterpiece” in just two hours.  Painting sessions are led by a local artist who provides step-by-step instructions to first-time painters, aspiring artists, or self-proclaimed pro’s that result in an individualized work of art.  Wine and Design accepts general reservations, but also books private parties.  The company also hosts fundraisers, with a portion of the proceeds going directly to the cause.  For more information, call (919) 453-0552 or visit their website at www.wineanddesignnc.com/wakeforest/calendar.

Press Contact:
Louise Cottrell
FireBrand Marketing, Inc.
(919) 848-1025
louisec@firebrandmarketing.com