Fundraiser builds jobs

JACQUELINE AND RICHARD, left to right, put finishing touches on the playhouse that will be auctioned off Saturday night at the El Dorado Art and Wine Festival. Democrat photo by Pat Dollins

By Mike Bush
From page B2 | Leave Comment

What: 10th annual El Dorado Art and Wine Festival

Who: Mother Lode Rehabilitation Enterprises Inc. and Placerville Kiwanis

Where: El Dorado County Fairgrounds, Mark D. Forni Building, 100 Placerville Drive in Placerville

When: Saturday, Jan. 19 from 6 to 9 p.m.

Tickets: $30 per person and $50 per couple. Tickets can be purchased at MORE, 399 Placerville Drive in Placerville. Proceeds benefit Mother Lode Rehabilitation Enterprises Inc. and Placerville Kiwanis

Information: Call MORE at 530-622-4848 or visit morerehab.org.

The Placerville Kiwanis and Mother Lode Rehabilitation Enterprises Inc. are joining forces to present the 10th annual El Dorado Art and Wine Festival on Saturday, Jan. 19.

The night will feature El Dorado County award-winning wineries, award-winning breweries, and restaurants and caterers at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds, Mark D. Forni Building, 100 Placerville Drive in Placerville, from 6 to 9 p.m.

According to Susie Davies, executive director of MORE, one of the highlights of the fundraiser will be the auctioning off a 48 square feet life-sized playhouse built by MORE clients.

Fifteen MORE clients took great pride in constructing the playhouse according to Robin Chronister, executive assistant at MORE.

John Walsh, a retired carpenter who works with MORE clients in the carpentry department, was the guiding force and worked with the MORE clients during the building of the playhouse.

Walsh and Davies think that the skills the clients are learning can be a benefit down the road.

“John is hoping to have a crew that we can have work with different contractors,” Chronister said. “They could do two or three specific tasks. Our goal is having our people have jobs.”

The MORE clients not only are learning valuable job skills they also find the construction process fun.

MORE client Nico, 24, enjoyed painting the playhouse. He helped construct the frame of the playhouse and put the sheet metal inside the house.

Kasey, 32, learned how to paint when he was a kid from his father. Kasey now works as assistant supervisor under Walsh, working on the playhouse and other projects.

“The painting is just a couple of strokes at a time,” Kasey said. “A real nice, smooth coat. I helped a couple of guys who are getting better.”

Jacuqeline, 24, and Richard, 48, have been assisting in the painting phase of the project.

“Anytime we missed a spot, we just repainted,” Jacuqeline said.

Richard said he painted houses before, but added that painting the playhouse was “fun.”

“All of these guys and gals are getting better at what they do,” Walsh said.

“We had one client that had a lot of trouble focusing,” Chronister said. Walsh was patient and worked with the client, Chronister added.

“We are fortunate to have John involved in our organization. The potential for training our people in this field is limitless. Interested clients were chosen to participate, some for whom we had doubts about their ability to participate. But John worked with each individual according to their abilities to help them reach their full potential as carpenters,” Davies said.

This is the second playhouse MORE clients have built. Last year, the first playhouse was in conjunction with El Dorado County Habitat for Humanity, and auctioned off at Kids’ Expo.

Art work on display

For the art portion of the evening there is a collection of work created by the Creative Arts for MORE program.

“We have over 100 artists who will display their work,” said Kayla Grace, assistant manager of Creative Arts for MORE.

“We do paintings, we do weaving, we do ceramics,” Grace said.

The art work is for sale and all the proceeds go toward the arts program.

Live and silent auctions are scheduled to take place during the event.

Ray Brown Pro Sound will play various kinds of music at the festival.

Tickets are $30 per person and $50 per couple. To purchase tickets or to get additional information call MORE at 530-622-4848 or visit morerehab.org.

Proceeds from the evening will benefit Mother Lode Rehabilitation Enterprises Inc. and Placerville Kiwanis.

MORE is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting persons with disabilities.

The services include direct training in social, living and vocational skills. MORE also assists the community in providing real life opportunities, including work, for their clients. MORE is governed by a volunteer board of directors.

Contact Mike Bush at 530-344-5079 or mbush@mtdemocrat.net. Follow @MBushMtDemo on Twitter.