Savor the Wish coming to Nassau Valley Vineyards

Make-A-Wish volunteer and Lewes resident Kim Grebe said there’s a simple reason a fundraising event was created two years ago for the children of lower Delaware with life threatening illnesses.

It was a lost territory, she said of Kent and Sussex counties. “We had the kids who wanted to have their wishes granted, but there was no money,” said Grebe.

Two years and $50,000 later, local kids have had their wishes granted.

“It’s so rewarding to be a part of a child having their wish granted,” said Grebe, a member of the local board for three years and a 14-year volunteer.

Make-A-Wish is returning to the Cape Region for a third year with Savor the Wish – an evening tasting event featuring Delaware’s finest cuisine, hand-crafted beverages, an expansive silent auction, a special appearance by a Wish Family and live entertainment by The Funsters.

The event takes place at 7 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 19, in Nassau Valley Vineyards, 32165 Winery Way, Lewes.

This will be the inaugural event for Make-A-Wish Delaware, said Grebe, the event’s volunteer coordinator. The past two years, the event has been called Wishes on Tap. In years past, she explained, Kent and Sussex counties were part of the Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic region, while New Castle County was part of the Make-A-Wish Philadelphia region.

Delaware is just so small, it didn’t make any sense for it to be split between two different regions, so the national office decided to make a change, said Grebe.

“Everyone wants to make sure the funds are staying in Delaware for Delaware kids, and now we can be sure of that,” she said.

Grebe added that money raised from the event will start being used to realize wishes as early as September. There are about 20 kids waiting in lower Delaware, she said.

The fundraiser will offer a wide variety of tastings from local breweries, including Dogfish Head, Beach Time Distilling, Crooked Hammock, Painted Stave and Mispillion River Brewing. Restaurant partners for the event include Bethany Blues, Grandpa Mac, Pantry at Nage, Salt Air and Touch of Italy. Grebe said one of the live auction items will be a four-course Italian dinner prepared by local renaissance man Paul Cullen.

This will be the second year for Lewes’ Beach Time Distilling participating in the event.

Greg Christmas, distillery cofounder, said helping children who are seriously ill is a great cause.

“Being sick is very stressful for the patient and their family,” Christmas wrote in an email. “Being able to have a positive outlook is very helpful towards recovery.”

A tasting ticket can be purchased for $60, while a safe-driver ticket can be purchased for $30.

For more information, or to purchase a ticket, visit philadesv.wish.org/savorthewish or call 302-482-4467.