On June 1, dozens of people will be attending a benefit for Healthy Kids, whose insurance program covers eligible uninsured children who reside in Santa Clara County. The event will start at Joseph George Wine and Baskets at noon and continue on to Thomas Fogarty Winery in Woodside.

"This is the second time I've done this benefit, and I'm very proud to be included in it again," George said. "Bill Walsh and Healthy Kids came to me last year and asked if I would be part of a wine-tasting benefit they were planning. I happily agreed and am proud to say that at that first benefit we raised $95,000 for Healthy Kids."

The nonprofit organization knew of the wine shop through Healthy Kids founding member Craig Walsh, a friend of George.

Healthy Kids' funding comes from Santa Clara County and city of San Jose tobacco settlement funds, cigarette taxes and donations from foundations, corporations and individuals. The program, which began in January 2001, currently serves more than 13,000 children.

The price of the June 1 benefit will be $1,000 per couple and $500 per individual. George says the dollar figure was determined after "Healthy Kids figured out that it costs about $1,000 per child per year for health insurance. So for every couple that attends the benefit, the money they pay will cover a child for a year."

Various businesses and organizations contributed to the event in addition to George, enabling it to become a mulit-venue event.

"People will meet here at noon on Sunday. We'll have a little wine tasting of some great wines donated by Kathryn Kennedy Winery and some hors d' oeuvres from Le Papillon. Then at 1 p.m., guests will be transported to Thomas Fogarty Winery in Woodside, where there will be more wine tasting and more food—lots of food, from what they've told me," George said.

Some of the wineries donating wines to the event are Benessere, Miner Family Vineyards, Rombauer Vineyards, Silver Oak Cellars and Skyline Sonoma.

Entertainment will be provided by Troubadour Homero Oyarce and a youth jazz quintet called the Fisher Five.

"It should be a great event. We had a wonderful time last year, and the benefit was a great success. We're hoping to raise even more money this year than last," George said.

Joseph George Wine and Baskets has served wine connoisseurs since 1985. But the history goes back to Bert's grandfather, Joseph George, who opened a small shop on Saint John and Market streets in downtown San Jose in 1940. Not long after opening the shop, Joseph George became a liquor wholesaler, carrying some of the more popular brands of beer, wine and hard liquor. Eventually the retail business closed, and Joseph George Wine and Baskets opened, carrying only fine wines.

Tickets for the Healthy Kids benefit are still available. For more information, visit the Healthy Kids website at www.healthykidsfund.org or call 408.874.1997. Information is also available by calling Joseph George Wine and Baskets at 408.448.9463 or visiting www.josephgeorge.com.

Joseph George Wine and Baskets, located at 1559 Meridian Ave., is open Tuesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.