ITHACA, NY — On Friday, March 1st from 6AM-7PM Dave Ashton and Jen Mattison of Lite Rock 97.3 took over the airwaves for the Wine & Dine Radiothon. Offering a different restaurant and wine or beer pairing every hour to listeners with the highest bid with all the proceeds going directly to the United Way of Tompkins County. Each restaurant had donated a $200 gift certificate and each winery/brewery donated a case of wine or craft beer. The auction raised $5,250.00 has raised over $25,000.00 in the past five years.
Dave Ashton, “I am thrilled to have been able to continue this community tradition. Our listener support and backing from the many local businesses who donated made this event possible. The money raised through the Wine & Dine Radiothon for the United Way of Tompkins County will help fund their remarkable work in our local community.”
Raising money for the United Way of Tompkins County was only part of this event. Throughout the Wine & Dine Radiothon we were able to give local leaders the ability to stop in an talk about the efforts of the United Way and their funded partners. The ability to raise awareness to the individual and businesses is equally important.
Cayuga Radio Group President Chet Osadchey, “This years Wine & Dine Radiothon allowed us to continue working with local businesses to fundraise for the United Way of Tompkins County. We were able to make use of Lite Rock 97.3’s format to raise more funds through the song request component. I am pleased that we can continue to improve upon this event each year to benefit our local United Way.”
Wine & Dine Radiothon packages included the following pairings: Argos Warehouse & Ithaca Beer Company, Mahogany Grill & Shepherdess Cellars, Crystal Lake Café at Americana Winery & Americana Vineyards & Winery, Kilpatrick’s Publick House & Wagner Vineyards, MIX & Wagner Valley Brewing Company, Gola Osteria & Buttonwood Grove Winery, Monks on the Commons & Six Mile Creek Vineyard, Aladdin’s Natural Eatery & Hosmer Winery, Texas Roadhouse & Treleaven Wines, Coltivare & Lakewood Vineyards, Stella’s Barn & Heron Hill Winery, John Thomas Steakhouse & Triphammer Wines & Spirits and the Inn at Taughannock & Lake Drum Brewing.
