Napa, California – August 5, 2024 – Napa Councilmember Liz Alessio will once again host her Annual Harvest Hoedown fundraiser on August 17, 2024 at D’Ambrosio Vineyards in the Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley. This year, the event will benefit the First Responder Support Network (FRSN), which holds retreats for first responders and their significant others living with post-traumatic stress.
While Councilmember Alessio first held the Harvest Hoedown in 2018 for her first campaign, last year she decided to make it an annual event as a platform to create awareness and raise needed funds for outstanding, yet little known, nonprofit organizations such as FRSN and last year’s beneficiary the Monarch Justice Center. Both of these vital organizations offer essential services that are not otherwise offered by the government or any other local entities.
“This hoedown is especially personal to me, as a daughter of a 30-year respected community Police Officer, I’ve seen and experienced the ongoing stress and job-related trauma that was unintentionally brought home. I’m deeply grateful for FRSN and their retreat program that provides healing, hope, and wholeness, for our first responders and their families,” Councilmember Alessio said.
Councilmember Alessio’s Annual Harvest Hoedown brings community leaders, elected officials, and local philanthropists together to support local charities at the annual country themed event. This year’s event will feature Alpha Omega Winery owner and Grill Master Robin Baggett, who will be cooking up his legendary barbecue baked beans, chicken and ribs. Cocktail hour will kick off with gourmet charcuterie by Kristine Schug of Schug Winery, and the event features a full host saloon and exciting auction lots.
The 2024 event features theatre actor, Co-Founder and Artistic Director of Lucky Penny Productions Taylor Bartolucci as emcee, Nashville recording artist SJ McDonald, country band Pass’n Through, along with guest speakers Napa County Sheriff Oscar Ortiz & Ret. Fire Chief Tim Borman.
For more than 20 years, FRSN has been a lead provider of support in helping first responders and their significant others cope with the debilitating effects of critical incident stress. They have helped more than 2,000 first responders and their significant others who have attended their trauma retreats in California, Washington, Oregon, Indiana, Arizona, and Kansas. “As most first responders see more trauma in one day than most people see in their entire lives, our retreats seek not to get them back to work, but back to life,” says Molly Willenbring, FRSN Executive Director.
Early Bird tickets are $175 through August 9, and $195 thereafter. Sponsorships for the event start at $500. Those wishing to sponsor the fundraiser or donate items for the auction can contact Doug Vogel at dougvogel@frsn.org.
