Festival aids nonprofit catering to those with disabilities

Marilyn Bittenbender and her husband, Kelvin Heck, entered The Oread on Saturday night on the lookout for Frog’s Leap.

Two nights before, the Napa Valley-based organic wine was a hit at Cottonwood Inc.’s Mass Street Mosey. As volunteers at the event, the couple had heard about the wine, but didn’t get to taste it.

“So we are on the search for that,” Bittenbender said.

Of course, the two were there for another important reason.

“To support Cottonwood, first and foremost,” she said.

Saturday night was the final evening for Salute, a three-day festival of wine and food that raises money for Cottonwood, a nonprofit organization that serves individuals with developmental disabilities.

On Saturday, more than 500 people were expected to arrive at The Oread for a night that included more than 200 wines to sample, food from 10 different venues, a silent auction and a live auction.

Salute is expected to raise $60,000 to $80,000, Cottonwood CEO Sharon Spratt said.

This year, the funds will go toward building a fully accessible home for Cottonwood clients. It’s the fourth home the organization has built in five years.

“State and federal funding helps pay for the direct services we provide,” Spratt said. “For the extras, the fundraising we have really helps to add quality of life to the individuals that we serve.”