UKIAH, Calif. – “This year’s ‘Gala,’ Mendocino College Foundation’s annual fundraiser to benefit Mendocino College students and programs, raised more funds than ever before,” stated Diane Daubeneck, special events chair.

The gala took place on Saturday, Sept. 20, in the Student Plaza located at the heart of the Ukiah campus.

The event hosted 371 guests who enjoyed live music by the George Husaruk Jazz Ensemble, dinner by the College’s Culinary Arts Management Program, appetizer stations and fine wines provided by Coro Mendocino and the annual Mendocino County Fair Wine Competition’s award winning wines.

Appetizer stations included Patrona, Aquarelle Café & Wine Bar, Saucy, Assaggiare Mendocino, Mi Pueblito, Oco Time, Garbocci Gourmet Catering and Dora’s Gourmet Café.

Thanks to increased corporate sponsorships and an incredibly generous group of guests, the gala doubled and in one category quadrupled the previous year’s donations.

During the live auction, guests were asked to join the college in creating a demonstration vineyard for student teaching and learning.

Emeritus Foundation Director Bob Blanc explained the importance of having a teaching vineyard, and guests agreed with Blanc generously pledging over $37,000 to create the new outdoor teaching facility.

“It was an awe-inspiring moment to witness the community’s generosity and support,” said Foundation President Richard Cooper.

Proceeds from this annual event help fund student scholarships, book awards and provide support for the College’s instructional programs.

Last year’s gala raised $116,000 compared to this year’s $155,000.

This event would not be possible without the generous support of our guests and event sponsors.

This year’s sponsors included American AgCredit; Thurston Auto Plaza; 94.5 Kwine/Max 93.5 radio stations; Mendocino County Fair Wine Competition; Mendo Lake Credit Union; Savings Bank of Mendocino County; Vintage Wine Estates; Realty World/Selzer Realty; Sutter Lakeside Hospital; Carter, Momsen & Knight LLP; Jay & Lisa Epstein/State Farm Insurance; Realtor Gary Nix; Solid Waste of Willits; TLCD Architecture; SHN Consulting Engineers and Geologists; Parker Mortgage and Investment Co.; Caito Fisheries, Inc.; MTA; Ukiah Valley Medical Center; Frank R. Howard Memorial Hospital; Rand Rodgers and John Goldsmith, LPL Financial; and Kit Elliott and George Husaruk.

Event organizers are already working on next year’s event scheduled to take place on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015.

For more information about the gala, or to donate towards any of the Mendocino College Foundation funded programs, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , call 707-467-1018 or visit www.mcfgala.com or http://foundation.mendocino.edu .