$10,000 Donated by St. Marks
The donation was a portion of funds raised at the 3rd Annual St. Mark’s Cellar Classic: An Auction of Rare & Fines Wines on July 28, 2012, and are designated for camp scholarships known as “camperships” to send Santa Ynez Valley area children to the Circle V Ranch Camp in the summer of 2013.
The Rev. Dr. Randall Day, St. Mark’s Priest & Rector remarked, “It is no secret that your friends at St. Mark’s-in-the-Valley Episcopal Church hold your work at Circle V Ranch Camp in the highest regard. You have, and you meet, an important challenge—compassionately instilling hope in children and youth. We are grateful that you welcome the involvement of our faith community in supporting your goals. We hope that our support will grow in usefulness from year to year and that our friendship within the one Body of Christ will continue to strengthen. For the second year, on behalf of the Wardens, Vestry and people of St. Mark’s, we are so pleased to be able to support Circle V Ranch Camp so Santa Ynez Valley kids can have the formative experience of this exceptional camp here in the Valley.”
Steve Pepe, co-chair of St. Mark’s Cellar Classic stated, “Our annual Cellar Classic raises funds to allow St. Mark’s to carry out its role as a public institution that serves the Santa Ynez Valley very widely; and our donation to the Circle V Ranch Camp—is one of more than 40 non-profit organizations and programs St. Mark’s assisted this year. We are delighted that members of the Friends of Circle V Ranch Camp donated wine and attended the Cellar Classic—and are happy to present this $10,000 donation in recognition and support of all the good you do.”
David Fields, Executive Director of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Los Angeles Council, operators of the Circle V Ranch Camp expressed his gratitude, “We deeply appreciate the continuing support of St. Mark’s-in-the-Valley Episcopal Church; and on behalf of the Circle V Ranch Camp staff, counselors and most importantly, the kids; we are so grateful for this incredibly generous gift, that doubles the amount donated last summer.” Sally Corlett, resident of Santa Ynez and Founder of the Friends of Circle V Ranch Camp expressed her gratitude along with Ray Lopez, Circle V Ranch Camp Director who added, “This donation is such an incredible demonstration of faith in works—that allows us to share Circle V with even more children. God bless everyone at St. Mark’s and the community that made this possible again!”
About St. Mark’s-in-the-Valley Episcopal Church
Formed in 1926 and serving the Santa Ynez Valley at its present location in downtown Los Olivos since 1979, St. Mark’s practices a spacious Christianity and welcomes people of all faiths or none. St. Mark’s is not only the home of a vibrant Episcopal congregation but also serves as a community center and meeting place for more than 40 organizations including the area’s Jewish worshippers, as well as Santa Barbara County Food Bank, Valley Community Theatre, non-profits and 12-step recovery groups. The professional Pre-School on-premises provides top-flight early childhood education. St. Mark’s actively supports the arts with musical concerts throughout the year as well as hosting exhibitions of photography, painting and most recently, the 26th annual Los Olivos Quick Draw Arts Festival. St. Mark’s Cellar Classic annual auction of rare and fine wines supports all these community programs. The 4th annual St. Mark’s Cellar Classic is scheduled for Saturday, June 29, 2013. For more information, visit www.SMITV.org
About Circle V Ranch Camp: Founded by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Los Angeles Council in 1945, Circle V Ranch Camp has been located on 30-acres in the Los Padres National Forest in Santa Barbara County in the Santa Ynez Valley near Cachuma Lake since 1990. There are eight Circle V Ranch Camp summer sessions, each six days and five nights of traditional supervised fun for boys and girls ages 7 to 13. Campers enjoy activities including hiking, swimming in the pool, learning about nature, archery, arts and crafts, painting, photography, playing games of baseball, basketball, ping pong, foosball, soccer, miniature golf and of course, campfires, skits and songs. (There is no TV, radio or internet access to affect the experience.) Campers stay in air-conditioned cabins or traditional canvas tents. Three nutritious daily meals served family-style in the Dining Lodge offer not only food but also more camaraderie and fellowship. In 2012, the camp hosted more than 1,200 children for this time-honored summer experience. During autumn, winter and spring, the Camp is available for rental to other non-profit groups and organizations. For more information on the Camp and all of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Los Angeles Council programs, visit www.svdpla.org.