After a decade of raising millions of dollars for the construction of the Golisano Children’s Hospital, the 2019 Southwest Florida Wine and Food Festival and auction was dedicated to raising money for a specific medical need in the area; mental health care for children.
Much of the $1.9 million raised Sunday afternoon will go toward the children’s mental health program, established by festival leaders two years ago.
After a two-hour wine tasting with appetizers from local chefs, festival attendees filled a tent on the Coconut Point Hyatt Regency grounds. It is here where bids for trips, wine auction lots, and private swimming lessons from Michael Phelps raised just short of $2 million. Last year’s total was $2.34 million. The festival has raised more than $26 million over the past 11 years.
This years’ highest bid was for a trip to the country music awards which went for $90,000.
