First Annual Celebrity Wine Wars
By: Kimberly Thomas
At the First Annual Celebrity Wine Wars, Steeler Legends Compete to Raise Funds for DreamMakers Ventures Program for Kids
As kids, my friends and I loved the Steelers – and Pittsburgh. We heard seemingly larger-than-life stories about this “The City of Champions” and that mythical era during the 1970s as the Steelers (as well as Pirates and Pitt Panthers) all won championships. And then in the early-90s, the Pittsburgh Penguins won Stanley Cups. As a kid in Pittsburgh, our sports legacy is hard to miss.
But as kids growing up, we also had our own dreams about who and what we want to be – and how we will fit in even though we realized that not everyone can be professional athletes. I’m not a kid anymore, but am grateful for the many people that loved and mentored me along the way to where I am now.
When I joined the non-profit organization Pittsburgh Gateways Corporation (PGC), I was particularly struck by PGC’s innovative DreamMakers Ventures program that provides professional creativity and career coaching for youth in at-risk communities, including youth experiencing homelessness. Professional artists, musicians, and photographers help these youth express their hopes and dreams through the “language of the arts” during workshops and summer camps. Motivated youth who excel in the workshops are awarded one-on-one internships with regional businesses and organizations so that they may further develop sustainable career goals. Remarkably, more than 600 youth have been served to-date through the DreamMakers program allowing them to express themselves, discover their own potential, and explore career possibilities based on cultivating their inner talents.
Thus, to build on this success, I’m very excited to announce the First Annual Celebrity Wine Wars on Wednesday, September 26, 2012 at the Roberto Clemente Museum featuring Hines Ward, Franco Harris, J.T. Thomas, Mel Blount, and L.C. Greenwood pouring and pitching their select Engine House 25 wines! This event will benefit the continued development and operations of the “DreamMaker Ventures” Creativity & Careers program for at-risk youth. Guests will meet these legendary athletes, taste their wines and vote for a 2012 Winner by evening’s end. The event will be emceed by Bill Hillgrove as well as feature culinary delights from some of the region’s finest restaurants along with live music by some of the best names in jazz and blues.
This evening will truly be one of great memories and inspiration – with old teammates getting together for some good old competition to raise funds for the DreamMakers kids. I can’t wait to be there as one of the spectators – and, while it won’t be on Heinz Field – I couldn’t be more proud of these Steeler legends.
To purchase tickets or be a sponsor for Celebrity Wine Wars, please contact Kimberly Thomas kthomas@pghgateways.org or call at 412-802-0798 for additional information. The event runs from 6pm-9pm at the historic Engine House 25 on 3339 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh PA 15201. Please join us on September 26, and cast your vote for a favorite Steeler/wine!
For more information on DreamMakers, please visit: http://www.pghgateways.org/projects_amcc.htm
Kimberly Thomas, MBA – Program Manager assists in business development matters with Gateways’ arts and education initiatives and management of the FirstLink Technology Transfer Program.