‘Night in the Vineyard’ raises $130K for Monique Burr Foundation

Benefit event celebrates 25 years of protecting children

Artwork was among the various auction items during the fundraiser.

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Edward Burr, founder of the Monique Burr Foundation for Children, speaks during ‘A Night in the Vineyard.’

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Kat Casey and Wendy Alexaitis

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Monique Burr Foundation for Children President/CEO Lynn Layton speaks during ‘A Night in the Vineyard.’

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Steve and Shaun Lourie enjoy the festivities at ‘A Night in the Vineyard.’

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Glenn and Lynne Layton at ‘A Night in the Vineyard,’ a benefit for the Monique Burr Foundation for Children.

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Nashville recording artist Colleen Orender sang during the event.

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Posted Thursday, June 23, 2022 12:00 am

About the foundation

The Monique Burr Foundation for Children is a nonprofit organization founded in 1997 by Edward E. Burr in honor of his late wife, Monique Burr, a devoted child advocate.

Its prevention education programs, including MBF Child Safety Matters for elementary schools, MBF Teen Safety Matters for middle and high schools, MBF Athlete Safety Matters for youth athletes and MBF After-School Safety Matters for afterschool and youth-serving organizations, are evidence-based/trauma-informed primary prevention programs.

They educate and empower children and adults with information and strategies to prevent, recognize and respond appropriately to abuse, bullying, cyberbullying, digital dangers, exploitation, and human trafficking.

More than 5,000 facilitators have delivered these programs to more than 8 million students throughout the U.S. and in six additional countries.

The Monique Burr Foundation for Children Inc. (MBF) annual signature fundraising event, “A Night in the Vineyard” presented by River Bay Investments at SoNapa Grille, raised an event record $130,000 for the foundation.

All proceeds from “A Night in the Vineyard” will help support the foundation’s prevention education programs. These evidence-based/trauma-informed prevention education programs educate and empower youth with strategies to prevent, recognize and respond to child abuse, bullying, digital dangers, exploitation and human trafficking.

“We appreciate everyone who attended and supported ‘A Night at the Vineyard,’ raising vital funds that are essential for continuing our programs and initiatives,” said foundation President/CEO Lynn Layton. “In 25 years, the foundation has experienced exponential growth while directly impacting the safety of children. We are thankful to all of our supporters for championing MBF’s mission to make a difference and improve the lives of children and families.”

“A Night in the Vineyard” guests enjoyed fine wines, craft beer, delicious food, live and silent auctions, live music by Colleen Orender and Paris Winningham, and a live painting by artist Penelope Moore. Using vivid colors and texture, the artist painted the flavors she experenced while drinking a glass of Oceano wine during the event.

Rachel Martin, co-founder and vintner of Oceano Wines, and other wine makers from Napa Valley including Cufflinks, California Wine Co., Plank Walker, Gamba, Stellareese and Tarpon Cellars, attended the event.

Event sponsors included Casa Marina Hotel & Restaurant, Clockwork Marketing Services, Coastal Wine Market, Dennis and Becky Rosa, Drummond, Dream Finders Homes, The Fiorentino Group, Go Bright Marketing, GreenPointe Holdings, Hampton Golf, JAX Utilities Management, Kent and Lynn Shoemaker, Intuition Ale Works, MasterCraft Builder Group, Pepsi, PRI, River Bay Investments, Ron and Hilah Autrey, SoNapa Grille, Stellareese Collections, Sunbelt Rentals, Tarpon Cellars, Vallencourt Construction Co., Vulcan Materials Co., West Coast Wines – Florida and Young-Fouraker-Day.

For more information about the Monique Burr Foundation for Children, go to mbfpreventioneducation.org or call 904-642-0210.