This year, the foundation raised $8,000, making it the most profitable wine tasting fundraiser yet in the nonprofit's brief three year history.

"We were able to have fun, and raise the largest amount of money to date," foundation member Carol Myers said.

Foundation President Kim Guptill credits the fundraiser's success on the foundation's proactive approach to soliciting ticket sales. Some of choice items sold at the silent auction also aided the coffers. The foundation was able to secure items such as a Peak Travel vacation package--good for a three-night stay in a hotel anywhere in the United States--a three-night stay in a Lake Tahoe condominium and a soccer ball signed by former Olympian Mia Hamm.

Guptill noted that Cara Finn, the Grapevine owner, is an invaluable contributor to the fundraiser.

"Cara Finn is such a great partner," Guptill said. "She found a vintner that was willing to donate. And she did most of the setting up, as well as the staffing and cleanup."

The fundraiser provides a way for community members to support local schools.

And with funding for the schools getting even more scarce, the role of organizations like the foundation becomes even more significant, Guptill said.

"In the era of shrinking budgets from the state, we need to make up the difference to offer the best possible education for our children," she said.

Through money raised at fundraisers like the wine tasting, the foundation supports the schools' visual and performing arts programs, after-school tutoring and mentoring, the robotics program and college and career counseling at the high school.

And the foundation has proved to be a great resource for the Willow Glen High School career counseling program, according to Willow Glen High School College and Career Counseling technician Louise Gill.

"I have only been here a couple of months, but one of the first things I noticed was that, through money raised by the foundation, we were able to provide 10 brand-new computers for the center," Gill said. "These were absolutely essential to our program, because so much of the college application process is online now."

And Guptill said the foundation wants to raise the level of funding it provides to the schools in the future. She predicts that next year's fundraiser will be even more successful.

"Our annual wine tasting event is an example of why we love Willow Glen," she said. "People are coming together to give children the best education possible, and to build and support the community."