Grapes for Grads
Grapes for Grads, a wine tasting & scholarship fundraiser, is Laguna’s premier wine tasting event. Hosted by the Rotary Club of Laguna Beach, this annual event raises money for college scholarships to assist students who attend Laguna Beach High School (LBHS) and Laguna College of Art and Design (LCAD). All proceeds go toward the scholarships.
The focus is on students who show excellence in academics or art and a strong commitment to community and who may otherwise lack the resources to achieve their educational goals.
Formal Host of Grapes for Grads and Tax Information:
The Laguna Beach Rotary Club Foundation is a 501(C)(3) organization. The Internal Revenue Service ID # is 08098802
The focus is on students who show excellence in academics or art and a strong commitment to community and who may otherwise lack the resources to achieve their educational goals.
Formal Host of Grapes for Grads and Tax Information:
The Laguna Beach Rotary Club Foundation is a 501(C)(3) organization. The Internal Revenue Service ID # is 08098802
Our Host
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The Rotary Club of Laguna Beach was founded in 1931. It is a California Nonprofit Mutual Benefit Corporation. From its beginning, the club has grown in membership and purpose. Today, the club has a membership of over 60 men and women actively committed to supporting Rotary International and its goals. The Rotary Club meets every Friday at noon in the Forest Room of the Laguna Presbyterian Church at 415 Forest Avenue in Laguna Beach. Learn about Rotary
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Our History
The Beginning
Grapes for Grads® originated in 2005 when Rotary Club of Laguna Beach members were looking for a way to increase the club’s support of scholarships for students in Laguna Beach. After landing on the name Grapes for Grads, the first event was held in 2006.
Since 2006, we have continued to be guided by the original intent of Grapes for Grads: to produce an enjoyable afternoon of wine-tasting, light food, music, art exhibits and painting demonstrations by LCAD students, and an assortment of attractive silent auction items that will generate scholarship funds for college bound graduating seniors of Laguna Beach High School and for students enrolled in Laguna College of Art and Design.
Grapes for Grads has grown since its inception in 2005 to feature an extensive selection of wine.
Who attends Grapes for Grads
Attendees enjoy wine and want to sample a variety of high-quality wines that are affordable and readily available, and to do that tasting in a relaxed atmosphere where current friends can meet and new friends can be made. It also remains an event where wines are showcased for tasting only (there are no sales of wine on the premises).
A single admission price for wine tasting and live musical entertainment. Small bites are available from an exclusive selection of Laguna Beach restaurants.
Why support Grapes for Grads
Each year, Grapes for Grads has not only grown in the number of participating wineries, but also increased in the net profit generated. What remains unchanged is the promise that all the net profit is converted to scholarship awards.
From the first fundraising event in 2006, where we awarded $6,000 in scholarships, to the 2023 event which raised $36,000, we have awarded a total of almost $600,000 to deserving students.
During the 2020 and 2021 years, no event was held, but through the activities and generosity of the Rotary Club of Laguna Beach scholarships were still provided.
Grapes for Grads® originated in 2005 when Rotary Club of Laguna Beach members were looking for a way to increase the club’s support of scholarships for students in Laguna Beach. After landing on the name Grapes for Grads, the first event was held in 2006.
Since 2006, we have continued to be guided by the original intent of Grapes for Grads: to produce an enjoyable afternoon of wine-tasting, light food, music, art exhibits and painting demonstrations by LCAD students, and an assortment of attractive silent auction items that will generate scholarship funds for college bound graduating seniors of Laguna Beach High School and for students enrolled in Laguna College of Art and Design.
Grapes for Grads has grown since its inception in 2005 to feature an extensive selection of wine.
Who attends Grapes for Grads
Attendees enjoy wine and want to sample a variety of high-quality wines that are affordable and readily available, and to do that tasting in a relaxed atmosphere where current friends can meet and new friends can be made. It also remains an event where wines are showcased for tasting only (there are no sales of wine on the premises).
A single admission price for wine tasting and live musical entertainment. Small bites are available from an exclusive selection of Laguna Beach restaurants.
Why support Grapes for Grads
Each year, Grapes for Grads has not only grown in the number of participating wineries, but also increased in the net profit generated. What remains unchanged is the promise that all the net profit is converted to scholarship awards.
From the first fundraising event in 2006, where we awarded $6,000 in scholarships, to the 2023 event which raised $36,000, we have awarded a total of almost $600,000 to deserving students.
During the 2020 and 2021 years, no event was held, but through the activities and generosity of the Rotary Club of Laguna Beach scholarships were still provided.
OUR 2024 TEAM
Grapes for Grads Committee
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Jeff Redeker
Co-Founder / Committee Chair Kerri Redeker Co-Founder / Venue / Food / LCAD Liaison – Scholarship John Campbell Event Liability Insurance / Sponsorship David Cler Event Alcohol License / Sponsorship Stacy Colledge Venue / Marketing Mahyar Haghighi Design, Printing and Website Support |
David Lupercio
Venue Sharon Plumley Food / Silent Auction / Raffle Laura Spino, Pavilions Winery Concierge Pati Stoop Marketing / Treasurer René Williams Silent Auction / Marketing |
