Generosity, aromatic wines, delicious foods, whiskey and a philosophy of service above self are what bring Norman’s four Rotary clubs together to raise money for local philanthropic efforts.
After a brief hiatus of two years, the Cross Timbers, Norman Noon, Sooner and Legacy Rotary Clubs will host their 18th annual Le Tour de Vin fundraiser on Saturday, May 21, to raise money for a local nonprofit, The Virtue Center, and local Rotary service projects.
“It’s a wonderful event as hundreds of Rotarians and friends come together to help raise money to help our community,” Le Tour de Vin executive director Joe Gil said.
The evening of generosity, fine food, wine and whiskey will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the NCED Conference Center and Hotel at 2801 E. State Hwy. 9. Reservations are $125 per person, and can be made at LeTourDeVin.com
“The four Norman Rotary clubs work together to maximize efforts to make a difference in our community,” Gil said. “We are committed to making Norman the best place it can be. The more people who participate in this event, the more money we can raise! We invite anyone over 21 to join us.”
Gil said Le Tour de Vin was started in 2003 by the Cross Timbers club. As the event grew, Cross Timbers began calling on the other local clubs for support. Le Tour de Vin has raised more than $ 2.1 million since its inception.
Dining options vary from Italian cuisine to heavy hors d'oeuvres from participating restaurants: Mazzio's Italian Eatery, Sweet Basil, GP405, Social Butterfly Catering, Tino's Italian Eats and Sweets, Hollie's Flatiron Grill, Sergio's Italian Bistro, Scratch Kitchen and Cocktails, Nosh Restaurant and Catering Creations.
Guests will browse and bid on silent auction items, while tasting whiskey and wine from a selection of over 200 different wines from all over the world and six different scotches and American whiskeys provided by Republic National Distributing Co.
“Republic National Distributing Co. has done this for over 17 years,” Gil said. “They’ve donated over 11,000 bottles of wine.”
Le Tour de Vin’s current two-year beneficiary, The Virtue Center, will receive $50,000 of the money raised and the rest will go to other local Rotary service projects.
“The Virtue Center is a place of help and hope to people facing addiction and mental health challenges,” executive director Teresa Collado said. “Founded in 1972 by Richard Virtue, we serve teens, adults and their families by providing outpatient treatment services. Lives are changed, and families are healed.”
The money raised will go toward their capital project to build a new building to better meet the needs of the people they serve.
“There is much shame associated with the disease of addiction and mental illness,” Collado said. “We want to provide a warm, therapeutic environment to better promote healing and increase access to families who need our help.”
Visit LeTourDeVin.com to register for the event. Guests must be at least 21.