Ron Rocher pouring cellared wine donated from his personal collection.
This past Thursday night the former Boneta space in Gastown hosted Hips Sips, a fundraiser for the Uganda Hearing and Health Care Project. A charity event disguised as a wine tasting, Hip Sips featured offerings from nine wineries, signature cocktails from Beefeater and snacks from the always-lovely Cru Restaurant.
The event was the brainchild of medical technologies maven Jessica Rudd after she was asked to accompany Dr. Brian Westerberg of UBC on a mission of nurses and doctors to Uganda. Rudd witnessed the good work of the Hearing and Health Care Project and was struck by a desire to do more for the cause. She reached out to her good friend Catherine Runnals, a branding powerhouse who just happens to be the president and founder of brand.LIVE.
Working together and using their respective strengths, these women created this fun and elegant concept, and it was an overwhelming success. Hip Sips raised tens of thousands of dollars to restore hearing to children in Uganda, and Rudd and Runnals hope to make this an annual event.
Steve DaCruz was on hand to serve up "The Vancouver" - a vintage gin cocktail created at the Sylvia Hotel.
The selections were eclectic. On hand for attendees to sip and slurp were some cellared reds, a variety of "reds you can chill," Grower champagne and even some wines on tap. Rudd was quick to point out that the Rotary Club generously agreed to QUADRUPLE all of the money raised. Now that is something to toast!
Big smiles all around - for a good cause.
For more information on how you can get involved with the Uganda Hearing and Health Care Project or to make a donation, contact the Rotary Club.
