Napa Valley Event Raises Funds to Bring MG Model to More Communities

On Thursday, November 5^th Napa, CA leaders and businesses came together to hold a benefit in support of Mercado Global’s work with women artisans in Guatemala.  The event raised the funds to double the number of jewelry groups participating in our training and sales programs. With the help of the Napa Valley community we were able to match and surpass the $15,000 challenge fund created by our Board of Directors, raising a total of $31,000!

James Bronk addresses guests at the Mercado Global Benefit at the Napa Valley Museum

Despite the global economic recession, we have actually increased our sales in the past few months. We see this as a great opportunity for us to expand and incorporate more groups into our model, as we bring our fight against poverty to even more communities in the western highlands of Guatemala.

The funds raised at the Napa benefit will help finance the training of our new partner artisans. Because the majority of the women with whom we work have never been given the opportunity to learn to read or write we must provide them with some crucial tools so they can take full advantage of the opportunities they will have by working with Mercado Global. The funds will also help finance the sales orders these new groups receive. These women have no savings of their own so MG must purchase beads and other materials to make the jewelry so these women can earn a fair wage through these sales opportunities. Without the money raised at the event this would not be possible, and we would not be able to help more communities break the cycle of poverty!

The Napa Valley Museum generously donated their space for the evening. This fantastic venue provided the perfect atmosphere for us to debut the Napa Valley Role Model Initiative photos. Modeled after our Role Model photo shoot in New York, this exhibit featured many prominent members of the Napa community modeling the work of our partner artisans as captured by host committee member photographer Suzanne Becker Bronk. Not only did people enjoy this photographic exhibition, they also were able to preview pieces from our new Holiday 2009 collection.

It was so moving to see the genuine interest in our work by so many members of the greater Napa community! We are so excited that people were moved by our impact and contributed to ensuring we are able to help combat poverty in more communities and increase the public’s access to fair trade products!

A very special thank you goes out to the event host committee, Suzanne Becker Bronk, James Bronk, Becky Stadiotto, Beth Mattei, Carol Glaser, Christine McClure, Irit Weir, Kathryn Havens, Kristine Walenburg, Luisa Heymann, Nancy Rose, Sabine Hirsohn, Sally Seymour, and Joanne Wakerlin. Without their hard work this event would not have been possible.

We must also thank the evening’s sponsors for their generous contributions: Cindy O’Brien Aesthetics, Bay Photo, Hagafen Cellars, Inc, the Girls in the Vineyard, Kathy McClure, Ravenswood Winery, Kathryn & Michael Havens, Tres Sabores, Luna Vineyards, Dean & Deluca, Browns Valley Market, Oxbow Cheese Merchant, and Sciambra Bakery.

To check out a video featuring the event please clicks here.