Napa Vintners donate $10m for quake victims

The Napa Valley Vintners (NVV) is donating US$10 million to help meet the immediate needs of local residents and businesses affected by Sunday’s earthquake.

Damaged sustained at Bouchaine Vineyards in the Napa, tweeted by Juan Carlos Guerrero

The money will be used by the non-profit trade association to create a Napa Valley Community Disaster Relief Fund for those requiring assistance after the quake, which hit California on the eve of the 2014 harvest.

“Hundreds of homes and businesses in the local community were damaged by this disaster,” said Russ Weis, chairman of the NVV board of directors and general manager of Silverado Vineyards.

“Residents and business owners in the heart of the City of Napa, south of the city, including American Canyon, and surrounding neighborhoods were especially impacted. The fund will provide resources and assistance to support the community as it rebuilds.”

The NVV is establishing the fund with a lead pledge of $10 million and encourages other organisations and individuals to contribute. The NVV will partner with the Napa Valley Community Foundation (NVCF), a public charity with significant experience in responding to community needs, to administer the disaster relief fund.

The NVV and NVCF will closely coordinate their efforts with other non-profit organizations and government entities to fulfill requests for support from Napa County residents and business owners.

The goals of the Fund are:

• To provide immediate financial support for the local community

• To quickly get resources into the hands of the local families and businesses most in need

• To provide a repository for earthquake-related donations

• To augment government relief efforts that are still uncertain

For Napa County residents, funding will be available for one-time immediate needs as well as short term assistance for things like temporary housing; basic needs; medical care and counseling; and repairs for immediate safety concerns, like replacement windows, debris removal or fallen chimneys.

For local businesses, the fund will provide assistance to help them get them up and running allowing employees to return to work and local commerce to continue.

Money to establish the Fund will come from proceeds of the NVV’s annual Auction Napa Valley charity event.

For more information or to make a contribution, visit napavintners.com