The wine event that gave back.
“It’s called a fundraiser, but I think it’s more fitting to call it a home-raiser,” said Jim McDevitt at the event held for two local Baylor Scott & White Plano nurses whose Rowlett homes were destroyed in the December 26 tornadoes.
Ramon and Sandra Guerrero, owners of Meadowlark Vineyards in California, created a home-raising team with Jim and Lynda McDevitt, owners of Corner Wines in Plano. Dr. Ramon Guerrero met the two nurses, Christine Frazier and Stephanie Little, years ago while working as an anesthesiologist at the same hospital. As soon as he heard the two were affected by the tornadoes, he put the event idea into the works.
Thirty or more guests were in attendance to support the nurses and the cause. After guests had some time to sample wine, enjoy small bites and chat, Jim McDevitt, Dr. Guerrero and Redoux Wines LLC Owner Samuel Rickords started the night off by recognizing everyone who came, the ladies and the unfortunate loss of their homes and the wine behind the event. Dr. Guerrero stated, “Christine and Stephanie give back to the community in many ways through their roles as nurses. I thought it was time we give back to them.”
The total profits of any Meadowlark wines purchased at the event and throughout the following weekend were given to the nurses. To “help make [their] house a home,” At Home home decór gave Christine and Stephanie each a $250 gift card, which was presented that evening. This amount from At Home was part of $40,000 donated to tornado victims.
Stephanie recalled the disaster and aftermath. “It was like a dream, a movie. Seven of my family members took to the master bedroom walk-in closet [when the tornadoes were nearby].” Thankfully, everyone was safe and without a scratch emerged from the closet to see “…no roof to my bedroom and my living room was now my backyard.”
Christine wanted to share one thought: “It wasn’t on my bucket list.”
Christine and Stephanie have already found new homes, and have been rebuilding their lives since everything was destroyed in the tornadoes. This home-raiser reached a total of $5,000 and will be a great asset in getting life back to normal. Both Baylor Plano nurses are very thankful to the community for the support and the McDevitt’s and the Guerrero’s for their thoughtful act.