$20,000 Donated by St. Mark’s-in-the-Valley Episcopal Church Cellar Classic to Society of St. Vincent de Paul’s Circle V Ranch Camp

On Saturday, October 19, 2013, representatives of St. Mark’s-in-the-Valley Episcopal Church visited the Circle V Ranch Camp in the Santa Ynez Valley and presented a $20,000 donation check to staff and volunteers of the Camp and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Los Angeles Council. The donation was a portion of funds raised at the 4th Annual St. Mark’s Cellar Classic: An Auction of Rare & Fines Wines on June 29, 2013, 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 2014.

The Rev. Dr. Randall Day, St. Mark’s Priest & Rector remarked, “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 60 non-profit organizations and programs St. Mark’s assisted this year. We at St. Mark’s believe as you do at Circle V; that every child is child of God and deserving of respect, dignity and hope. You fulfill this challenge by compassionately instilling hope in all that you serve here. For the third 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 uplifting experience of this exceptional camp. We are grateful that Friends of Circle V Ranch Camp donated wine and attended the Cellar Classic—and are pleased to present this $20,000 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 substantial monetary support and recognition provided by St. Mark’s-in-the-Valley Episcopal Church Cellar Classic. On behalf of the Circle V Ranch Camp staff, counselors and most importantly, the children; we are so grateful for this incredibly generous gift that doubles the amount you donated last year. We value the partnerships we have created and look forward to working together even more closely over the coming months.” Camp Director Ray Lopez added, “This donation is such an incredible demonstration of sharing God’s blessings with all and allows us to give the Circle V experience to even more kids. Thank you to everyone at St. Mark’s and the community that made this donation 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 60 organizations including the area’s Jewish worshippers, as well as Santa Barbara County Food Bank, theater groups, Rotary, non-profits and 12-step recovery groups. The on-premises professional Pre-School 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 and painting. St. Mark’s Cellar Classic annual auction of rare and fine wines supports all these community programs and outreach. The 5th annual St. Mark’s Cellar Classic is scheduled for Saturday, June 28, 2014. 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 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 2013, the camp hosted more than 1,250 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.circlevranchcamp.org