Santa Monica Wine Auction Raised Nearly $250,000

Funds raised in this unique virtual event will fund programs for students at all 12 public schools in Santa Monica

The Santa Monica Education Foundation’s sixth annual Santa Monica Wine Auction raised $249,500 for local public schools. This was the second year that the Wine Auction was held online due to the COVID pandemic.

More than 450 people registered and participated in the online silent auction and live online event, which was broadcast via YouTube. The live online event included a live auction with attendees placing bids from home via their phone and a Dessert Dash – a special selection of desserts from local business were auctioned off and delivered to the winners during the approximately hour and a half long event. Broadway Baker, Sweet Lady Jane and The Verge Company generously donated desserts for the Dessert Dash. Attendees also enjoyed delicious dinners and wine for the evening from the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows’ FIG Restaurant.

The event featured appearances by Ed Foundation Executive Director Linda Greenberg and SMMUSD Superintendent Dr. Ben Drati. Santa Monica students and school principals were featured in videos throughout the event.

“We rely on funds raised from the Wine Auction to support arts, STEM and wellness programs for Santa Monica students every year,” said Ed Foundation Executive Director Linda Greenberg. “It is heartwarming to see our community rally around students. In spite of the virtual format, the Wine Auction was a truly fun celebration. Our community participated in so many ways: by bidding, donating, posting in the event chat, and sending in selfies of themselves enjoying the event. Each person’s participation was a testament to this community’s support for students. We are so grateful to all the attendees, Corporate Heroes and volunteers who made the Wine Auction possible.”

All six Wine Auctions have raised a combined $1.38 million to enrich the education of our Santa Monica students.

The Wine Auction’s presenting sponsors were Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows/MSD Capital, DLJ/ Clarett West, Kilroy Realty, Saint John’s Health Center Foundation Community Impact Fund, and Santa Monica Place/Macerich.

Many other local businesses sponsored the event through the Education Foundation’s Corporate Heroes program. In addition to the presenting sponsors, they include:

Platinum Sponsors: Boston Properties, Cedars-Sinai, FreeAssociates, Harding Larmore Kutcher & Kozal LLP, Santa Monica Daily Press, and Sir Speedy Santa Monica.

Gold Sponsors: Boardwalk Pictures, Inc., Harley Ellis Devereaux, Raymond James, and UCLA Medical Center, Santa Monica.

Silver Sponsors: Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo, Bob’s Market, Ghisallo, HGA Architects and Engineers, Jones Hall, A Professional Law Corporation, Khedr Management Company, Payden & Rygel, and Southern California Disposal & Recycling Company.