8th Annual Grapes for Grades
Friday, September 24, 2010, 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Hollywood Beach Marriott
2501 N. Ocean Drive
Hollywood, FL 33019

Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Presents Grapes for Grades
A Wine Tasting & Fundraising Event Benefiting the Hollywood Florida Scholarship Foundation

Join the Greater Hollywood Chamber of Commerce for the ultimate grape experience served with a side dish of Hollywood – Grapes for Grades. The fundraising event, now in its 8th year, will take place on Friday, September 24th from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Hollywood Beach Marriott (2501 N. Ocean Drive in Hollywood). This upscale evening includes wine tasting, gourmet food, live jazz music, a silent auction and a raffle drawing for a seven night Caribbean cruise for two.

A portion of the proceeds from Grapes benefit the Hollywood Florida Scholarship Foundation (HFSF), a 501(c)3 organization which provides college scholarships to deserving high school seniors from local Hollywood high schools. www.hollywoodchamber.org/grapes

“[The Hollywood Florida Scholarship Foundation] scholarship has been a great help in paying for my first two years at the University of Florida, and it will aid me in my finances as I enter in the [school’s] nursing program,” says UF student Karolina Dominguez.

In addition, scholars have the opportunity to continue receiving scholarship dollars all through their college tenure as long as they maintain the required GPA and if there is still a need for financial aid. In the past seven years, Grapes for Grades has raised over $170,000 dollars for the foundation and has funded approximately 198 students.

“I am a student at Florida Atlantic University, and my major is biology. By the time I finish my education, I plan on opening my own dental practice. The generosity and encouragement from the Chamber and the HFSF motivate me to keep on going until I reach my goal,” adds FAU student Aunie Danyalian.

Grapes guests will enjoy delectable bites and a notable collection of wines and spirits from participating restaurants and vendors such as:
• Gino’s Italian American Deli & Meat Market
• French Quarter at Mardi Gras Casino
• Dave & Buster’s of Hollywood
• Taboulli
• Over the Top Catering
• Liguori’s Fired
• Latitudes at the H.B. Marriott
• Nilus Delights Bakery
• Edible Arrangements
• Fresh and Tastee Catering
• Sport Zone 84
• The Greek Joint
• Hollywood Discount Liquor & Wine
• Russian Standard Vodka

The evening will culminate with the announcement of the winner of the six-star, luxury, seven night Caribbean cruise for two on the award-winning Regent Seven Seas Mariner. This mid-size ship with maximum capacity of 700 guests, takes guests on a picturesque voyage through the Caribbean with stops in Cozumel, Belize, Guatemala and Costa Maya. The winner will receive an all-inclusive cruise with gratuities included, complimentary 24 hour room service, all meals and much more! The cruise getaway is valued at $8,400, but raffle tickets are only $100! The ultimate way to cruise the Caribbean . . . bon voyage!

“The $100 we spent on the raffle ticket was the best $100 we’ve ever spent,” says Dori Lynn Neuwirth of Atlantic Sands, 2005 Oceania cruise winner.

“A $13,000 first-class Mediterranean cruise – with a balcony view no less – for the price of a nice dinner out. You can’t beat that! If we hadn’t won, we still would have been happy to donate the money to such a worthy cause. We plan to buy a couple more tickets this year,” Neuwrith adds.

The evening’s featured entertainment will be Diva Joan Cartwright and the Jazz Hotline.

This event is brought to you by the following sponsors and supporters: Hollywood Police Department; E.H. Whitson Air Conditioning, Electrical & Plumbing; Cohen & Owens, PA; Hollywood Discount Liquor & Wine; Florida Power & Light; SUN Credit Union; Calvin Giordano & Associates, Inc.; Hollywood Beach Golf Resort; Community Bank of Broward; The Press Room and Ace Color Printing.

Support the cause and become a sponsor! Sponsorship opportunities are available. Sient auction donations and financial contributions will also be accepted.

Tickets are $60 pre-event and $70 at the door. Purchase our Wine & Dine Deal for only $200, which includes two event tickets and one raffle ticket.

Event tickets can be purchased at the Greater Hollywood Chamber of Commerce (330 N. Federal Highway), SUN Credit Union (4205 Hollywood Blvd. in Hollywood) or online at www.hollywoodchamber.org.

For more information, e-mail Sue Ann Scharón at sueann@hollywoodchamber.org or call 954.923.4000, ext. 14.