Wineries, Restaurants and Small Businesses Join Together to Honor Evelyn Dieckhaus to Support Gun Violence Awareness
(Healdsburg, CA – May 16, 2024) – Kelly and Noah Dorrance, owners of BloodRoot Wines and Reeve Wines, have announced the second annual initiative of Wine Country Unites, a collaborate movement bringing together a collection of esteemed wineries, retailers, distributors and restaurants committed to ending gun violence. Held on June 7, 2024, and coinciding with National Gun Violence Awareness Day, participating wineries will donate $10 from each bottle of wine sold toward raising critical funds and awareness for gun violence prevention, while other businesses will develop their own unique fundraising efforts to maximize impact. The event aims to raise $150,000 for GIFFORDS Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, a renowned organization led by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, dedicated to saving lives through policy change, cultural shifts, and community support. To learn more about Wine Country Unites and discover the growing list of participating businesses, please visit: https://giffords.org/
Inspired by Evelyn Dieckhaus, the bright and beloved nine-year-old who was one of six victims in the deadly shooting at Nashville’s Covenant School on March 27, 2023, Wine Country Unites was founded by Kelly and Noah Dorrance as a way of transforming grief into action. A mere days before, Kelly had held her niece, Evelyn, tight, never imagining this moment would be the last. The family has been steadfast in creating initiatives, such as The Ramble music festival, that support like minded organizations that advocate for common-sense gun laws and fostering safer communities.
The inaugural Wine Country Unites event in 2023 brought together 116 wine country businesses and raised over $125,000 for gun violence prevention. Building on this success, the 2024 event aims to make an even greater impact.
“The outpouring of support from our fellow vintners, restaurants and small business owners in this tireless fight is a testament to the power of our industry to drive change,” says Kelly Dorrance. “The gun industry wants you to feel hopeless, but from what I’ve seen and learned through this experience is that the tides are turning, and together we can change the arc of history and make our country a safer place for our children and communities.”
Coinciding with Wine Country Unites, The Ramble, a music festival in Healdsburg hosted by BloodRoot Wines, will also donate 100% of proceeds to GIFFORDS. The festival, taking place June 7th and 8th, will be headlined by Lord Huron, with performances by Andrew Bird, Cautious Clay, and other acclaimed artists, as well as food by Little Saint. For more information, visit https://www.bloodrootramble.
Former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords echoes the importance of this community activism. “Community-driven efforts like Wine Country Unites and The Ramble bring people together to raise awareness and critical funds to save lives. Even when progress can feel too slow at the government level, there’s so much we as individuals can do to make a difference.”
About Wine Country Unites
Wine Country Unites is a grassroots initiative formed by wineries, retailers, and restaurants dedicated to raising awareness and funds to combat gun violence. Inspired by the tragic loss of Evelyn Dieckhaus, the organization partners with leading gun violence prevention organizations to advocate for safer communities and common-sense gun laws.
About GIFFORDS
GIFFORDS is a nonprofit organization dedicated to saving lives from gun violence. Led by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, GIFFORDS shifts culture, changes policies, and challenges injustice, inspiring Americans across the country to fight gun violence.
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