Wine on the Waterfront raises $6,500 for combat military
Wine on the Waterfront was advertised as a wine tasting event, but in Captain John “GiddyUp” Bunch’s opinion, it was really a wine festival.
Matanzas On The Bay hosted the event on Veterans Day as a fundraising effort for Bunch’s organization, Operation Open Arms. The 501(c)3 non-profit raises funds to help care for active combat military and veterans returning home from service by providing them same-day PTSD treatment. Bunch also coordinates with local hoteliers and restaurants to provide some free R&R for service men and women.
The sold-out wine event raised $6,500 for Operation Open Arms. Attendees got to sip on 15 different varieties of wine, listen to Sheena Brook perform and have dinner while looking out over the water.
Bunch said Matanzas General Manager, Tony Coppolino, showed his skills as the event planner.
“There was dancing, an army promotion, and a spirit of nationalism with out troops there,” Bunch said. “It was truly extraordinary. It was one of our best events.”
The funds raised will help Operation Open Arms for the next six months with operating costs. It takes $1,000 to keep the charity running for a month, Bunch said, and that’s just covering operation expenses. He doesn’t take a salary and the charity is based out of his and his wife’s home, so there’s no overhead.
“We really know how to stretch a dollar,” he said.
To make a donation, visit operationopenarms.org or mail a check to Operation Open Arms, P.O. Box 1, St. James City, FL 33956.