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La Luz wins Cornerstone events package

La Luz Center was the grand-prize winner of a $15,000 special events package from Cornerstone Sonoma’s Thursday Late Night events, that took place each Thursday evening from Nov. 29 to Dec. 20.

During the shopping evenings, Cornerstone hosted special events and invited guests to vote on which charity was most deserving of the grand prize.

More than 18 local nonprofit organizations as well as several schools took up the challenge to get their supporters out to Cornerstone to vote. Even though two of the four evening events were marred by rainy weather, hundreds of people came to shop, participate in many of the on-going demonstrations in the various shops, taste wine and dine at the newly opened Park 121 Café.

“For us at La Luz, it became a fun challenge – we do know there are bigger and stronger nonprofits when it comes to ‘mobilizing troops,’ but we took it up with much gusto as we do with all of our programs and projects. We certainly appreciate Cornerstone’s creative initiative, encouragement and support,” said Juan Hernandez III, executive director of La Luz Center.

A nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting its Sonoma Valley neighbors who contribute economic, cultural and social well being of the community, La Luz also provides English language training, teaches computer skills, distributes food, hosts medical services, offers crisis counseling and supports events that celebrate Sonoma’s rich multicultural community.

The grand prize offered by Cornerstone Sonoma calls for up to 150 guests enjoying full use of the Cornerstone facilities including the gardens, the large tent and the barn as well as use of a two-bedroom guest cottage on the night of the event.

La Luz can also receive 15 percent off catering services from Park Avenue Catering at Park 121 Café, on site professional pre-event planning services by Savvy Events, $2,000 worth of props and services from Artefact Design and Salvage and Zipper Gifts, $1,000 worth of floral arrangements from Tesoro Flowers and 50 percent off all select wines from Meadowcroft Wines. La Luz Center can choose to host its own event, or giveaway the package as an auction or raffle prize.

“We want to offer our gratitude to everyone who came out to support Thursday Late Nights at Cornerstone,” said event coordinator Desiree Stinson, general manager at Artefact Design and Salvage. “The objective was to create a uniquely, exciting event proving that collaboration between nonprofits and small businesses can be mutually beneficial to everyone’s bottom line. All of us at Cornerstone are proud to be included in our dynamic and generous community.”