Last year around the holidays the world was watching in horror as we learned of the full devastation which the tsunamis and earthquake wrought across Southeast Asia. This year people are reeling from many things, but perhaps none so deadly as the horrible earthquake in Kashmir. Coming on the heels of hurricane Katrina, so much closer to home for us Americans, the earthquake didn’t get as much media attention as it should have, and some have talked about donor fatigue after the outpouring of support for Katrina victims.

So it seems fitting that my friend Pim has decided to repeat A Menu For Hope, a virtual event held last year by some members of the food and wine blogging community in an effort to raise funds for tsunami victims. Instead of a menu with recipes and wine pairings, this year we are holding an auction/raffle for prizes donated by various food and wine bloggers including Vinography.

The Vinography Prize: Customized Napa or Sonoma Wine Country Tour Itinerary
Alder Yarrow, founder and editor of Vinography.Com, the world’s leading wine blog, will use his insider knowledge to help you plan an exclusive and unique tour of either Napa or Sonoma wine country. After understanding your taste preferences and travel dates, Alder will provide an itinerary for your stay that includes the best of what California Wine Country has to offer. Your tour will include access to wineries that are not open to the public as well as meetings with little-known, small producers who are making some of the best and most exclusive wines in America. Restaurant and sightseeing recommendations will also be included. Whether you want to hit the most famous landmarks of Napa, or stay off the beaten track, Alder will help you make your wine country vacation truly unforgettable. Please note that this auction item includes consultation and information only. Buyer will be responsible for making their own reservations and travel arrangements.

For the full list of prizes, please visit the official A Menu For Hope posting on Chez Pim.

HOW TO ENTER/DONATE
Each $5 you donate to Unicef through our special site gets you one raffle ticket to be entered into a drawing for the prize of your choice. The more you donate the more chance you have of winning the prize you select.

Simply go to the official donation site and make your donation in increments of $5 US. Important Note:You must use the “comments” field on the donation form to indicate which prize you would like your tickets to apply to. If you are donating more than $5 (and of course you will, won’t you?) you can enter for more than one prize. Simply indicate how you would like your total number of tickets distributed.

If you are reading Vinography from the comfort of your home or office, with the comforts of a roof over your head, food in your refrigerator, and family and friends surrounding you during this holiday season, I’d ask you to remember how blessed we are, those of us who have the luxury of this privileged life we lead. Please consider donating a little of your time and money to help the literally millions of people who are barely surviving this winter after the loss of everything they have, including their families.

Thank you.