Inaugural J. Levine Feb. 13 Wine Auction Benefits Arizona Nonprofit

Since 1992, Tammie and her husband Gary have been helping foster children through their nonprofit organization OCJ Foster Kids (Opportunity, Community & Justice for Kids) in North Phoenix.

 

This February, J. Levine Auction & Appraisal will host its inaugural “Fostering Hope: A Fine Wine Auction” event to raise much-needed funds for OCJ Foster Kids. The cocktail chic event will take place from 6 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 13, at J. Levine’s upscale auction house, 10345 N. Scottsdale Rd., in Scottsdale, on the southeast corner of Scottsdale Rd. and Shea Blvd. The auction house will donate its commission from the more than 200 bottles of classic and vintage wine from one consignor’s collection.

 

“We’ve found people in the community really do want to get involved to help these kids,” says Webb, “they just don’t realize there’s a problem or how big the need is.”

 

The number of Arizona children in foster care has jumped in recent years to more than 20,000 children.  

 

Funds from the Feb.13 Wine Auction fundraiser at J. Levine Auction & Appraisal will help OCJ Foster Kids provide regular events and supply kits to foster children through group homes, Department of Child Services (DCS) offices, case workers and officials who remove children from unsafe situations. These kits include:  

 

Emergency Overnight Kits with a twin size camping mattress, sheets, pillow and bag for children who must spend the night in DCS offices until a place is found in a foster or group home.

 

Kinship Kits include a blanket, pillow and stuffed animal to help ease children’s anxiety as they are removed from their homes.

 

Welcome Kits provide a one month supply of basic hygiene items such as a toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, soap, shampoo and other items needed by children, ranging in age from infants to teens, when they are first removed from their homes. OCJ Foster Kids provides about 120 of these kits every month.

 

Advance tickets for “Fostering Hope: A Fine Wine Auction” are $100 or $125 at the door. Guests will be treated to delicious hors d’oeuvres, Valentine’s chocolates, wine tastings and mixing demonstrations and live music prior to the auction beginning at 7 p.m.

 

To purchase tickets or to learn more about VIP sponsorship opportunities, visit www.OCJWineAuction.com.