Winery Wellness Walk helps spread Mental Health Awareness in Santa Barbara County
John Palminteri
BUELLTON, Calif. – This weekend walkers can take a step in the right direction to raise money for mental wellness in Santa Barbara County.
The fundraiser called, Peace of Mind – 10,000 steps in the Right Direction, is the 6th annual walk through the Alma Rosa vineyard, just outside of Buellton.
Debra Eagle is the former General Manager at Alma Rosa Winery and she has come back to coordinate this event. “The winery proprietors, Bob and Barb Zorich, have been longtime advocates of mental health, research and treatments. All proceeds, every registration fee, every donation, 100% goes to the two foundations. We’re supporting, mental wellness center here in Santa Barbara and One Mind, which funds research.”
Annmarie Cameron, CEO of the Santa Barbara Mental Wellness Center said, “it’s really an expression of starting conversations about mental health. And so when people come together and they go for the walk through the winery, they get, the feeling of helping others, they help themselves”
The walkers will be on a route through the winery for about four miles. It goes through the vineyards at different elevations. Some are not normally open for the public. Eagle said, “these fabulous vantage points that look out over the valley that aren’t normally seen. If they’re driving through the Santa Rita hills, they’re down on the road.”
This special walk began in 2019 and hundreds have taken part in the effort to support the programs funded by the benefit event.
All the money raised will go to the Mental Wellness Center in Santa Barbara and related programs to assist in mental health through the One Mind organization. This year marks a big milestone, as the winery is aiming to surpass $1 million. Cameron said, “we’re so blessed to have the lead sponsor on the Alma Rosa Winery match donations. Dollar for dollar, up to $75,000. And with the local corporate sponsors that have come to help us, we’re only about $5,000 short of our match. “
This is all in line with May as Mental Health Awareness Month.
“We are a safety net. We provide support to adults, to their families. We reach into the schools and educate youth, and we provide a lot of housing in the community, ” said Cameron.
Many on the walk have a personal connection. ” I would say probably a majority have someone in their lives who may suffer from more of your everyday anxiety, depression issues, which were very big, during the pandemic and shortly afterwards to people who have, family members who have very serious conditions.”
The walk begins at 9:00am and ends about noon with a reception involving wine and snacks. Additional wineries in the area are also pouring at this event. Live music will be provided by Tom Ball and Kenny Sultan, local legends in guitar, blues and harmonica songs.
The event is supported by several regional wine makers.
For more information go to: Alma Rosa Winery