Item #1: Dessert and After-Dinner Drinks
(lovingly decorated by Hope Solutions youth residents!) Polish off your dinner and treat yourself and your friends to after-dinner drinks and dessert! The dessert offerings were made by Hope Solutions’ students in the Youth Enrichment Program at Garden Park Apartments. Dessert comes with a delicious bottle of wine. Savor every morsel and sip knowing your winning bid transforms lives!
Donor: Hope Solutions’ children and Carol Gilliland.
Item #2: Instant Wine Cellar
Wine connoisseurs look no more! This is every wine lover’s dream.
Enjoy more than 30 premium wines chosen especially for you.
Item #3: Local Craft Beer Tasting & Tour
Grab your friends for a chauffeured day of beer tasting at your favorite East Bay craft breweries. The Craft Beer Tour offers six beer enthusiasts a tour of (up to) five local craft breweries in the East Bay. Choose from a list of over 15 breweries located in Contra Costa and Alameda counties to curate your day. This package entitles the winner tasting at five local breweries, a car/driver, and certificate for beer tasting at each location for six people.
Restrictions and Logistics: 5-hour limit (choose 11:00 am – 4:00 pm or 12:00 pm– 5:00 pm). All breweries need to be in close proximity to each other to limit travel time between venues. Reservation required 21 days (or 3 weeks) in advance at a mutually agreeable time. This certificate is good through December 31, 2023.
Item #4: Choose Your Own Culinary Adventure
Choose your own perfect culinary adventure! Take in the sights of beautiful Mt. Diablo at the home of Carol Gilliland, celebrated chef, Hope Solutions’ Board Vice Chair and owner of catering company, A Loveable Feast. Carol and her team of culinary experts will work with the lucky winning bidder to plan one of three unique culinary adventures:
Option 1. Cooking class for 8-10 people. Carol and team will lead a hands-on group cooking lesson for ricotta cheese, pasta, and more. They will demonstrate how easy and quick it is to make a wonderful homemade Italian feast. Enjoy appetizers, dinner and dessert with wine and cocktail pairings.
Option 2. Formal, sit-down dinner for 8-10 people. Pick a food style (Italian, Spanish, French, etc.) and enjoy scrumptious appetizers, dinner, and dessert – and of course the perfect wine pairing. Whether you’d like to experience a buttery delicate Poisson en Papillote reminiscent of the bistros of Southern France, a delectable tiramisu that transports you to a café in Rome, or a stunning sizzling skillet of Catalonian Paella – this experience is one you won’t want to miss.
Option 3. Appetizers for a group of 15-20 people. Carol will prepare 5 to 6 heavy appetizers and a specialty drink and drop it off at your house.
Restrictions: Date to be mutually agreed upon. Expires April 29, 2024.
Donor: Carol Gilliland, A Loveable Feast
Item #5: Fabulous Burgundy, France Getaway
Gather a party of eight and create lifelong memories with this exclusive package! Explore hidden Burgundy from Chef Katherine Frelon’s fabulous farmhouse. Katherine Frelon, Chef, Baker, Author and Concierge Extraordinaire, invites you to experience this fabulous wine and culinary region of France. This getaway includes an intimate dinner and wine-tasting for you and your guests prepared by Master Chef Katherine on an evening of your choice. Your experience also includes a day trip to Katherine’s bakery in Flavigny-sur-Ozerain, where the movie Chocolat starring Juliette Binoche and Johnny Depp, was filmed. Katherine will conduct a workshop in chocolate and French pastry making for you and your guests followed by an evening of private wine tasting with Wine Guru, Brendan Moore. Sample wines and learn about all the local Burgundy varietals rarely found in the USA. Katherine has an extensive list of activities and itineraries for you to choose from including breakfasts or dinners prepared each day, market trips, day trips to Chablis, Dijon, Abbey de Fontany, Beaune and the beautiful Hospices de Beaune, or Auxerre, Fallot mustard making, Michelin Star restaurant reservations, wine tours in Northern Burgundy such as Domaine Comte Senard, Cheese tastings, golfing and more. You have access to her van which accommodates eight adults comfortably.
Restrictions and Logistics: Seven (7) days and eight (8) nights to be arranged by you and your host. Valid Saturday to Saturday. This trip must be booked within 2 months of the Auction and redeemed travel to occur with 24 months of the gala (by April 29, 2025). This offer is for a party of eight (8). This offer does not include airfare, or transportation to and from the airport. Should Katherine Frelon not be able to offer at least four weeks within the window to choose from, she will extend the offer beyond the redemption limit until there are at least four weeks from which to choose. There are no refunds or rescheduling for cancellations of unused bookings. The vacation package cannot be resold, and it is not transferable. Concierge Service and add-ons are available for additional cost to enhance your trip experience.
Item #6: Grand Canyon Starry Nights
Happiness is starry skies, breathtaking views, and the sound of nature. Whether you’re looking for an action-packed trip or a relaxing getaway among raw, unspoiled nature, we invite you to escape the ordinary with an experience that is extraordinary. This experience for two includes: Grand Canyon Sunset Tour; 3-night stay at Clear Sky Resorts in a Sky Dome, and Winspire booking & concierge service.
Grand Canyon National Park Experience spectacular views of the Grand Canyon South Rim without the crowds. With this tour, you’ll take the road less traveled to reach the iconic landmark, driving along scenic back roads in a comfortable 4WD safari vehicle and avoiding the busy south entrance gate. Stop to admire the views from Yavapai Point, Pipe Creek Canyon, and Duck on a Rock Overlook, then time your arrival to watch the sunset from Grandview Point. This evening tour lasts three hours.
Clear Sky Resorts Enjoy a 3-night stay in a standard Sky Dome. Clear Sky Resorts offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience of staying in a lux private sky dome with real connections to the nature around you. Grab your walking shoes and explore the rock paths that connect your Sky Dome to all the amenities and stunning surroundings.
You have direct access to the outdoors for epic stargazing and amazing sunrises and sunsets.
Restrictions and Logistics: This experience must be booked within one year of the purchase date and is only available April – November. The actual travel date must occur within two years of the purchase date. Reservations are subject to availability, blackout dates, and major holidays. Reservations must be booked 60 days in advance of travel. This package is non-refundable. Certificates cannot be resold or replaced if lost, stolen, or destroyed. Ground transportation is the responsibility of the winner unless otherwise stated.
Item #7: Farallon Islands Chartered Fishing Tour
Calling all fishing enthusiasts! Expect an amazing and unique experience withMaking Waves Fishing charter. You and your friends or family will have a choice of a trip to San Francisco Bay or to the Farallon Islands to catch a myriad of fish. On your charter, you’ll experience boating, fishing, and cleaning the fish afterwards. Your trip can accommodate up to six people fishing, with two crew. Making Waves provides all the bait and tackle. Don’t forget your camera, sunscreen, and fishing license for this memorable adventure!
Choice of location:
Location #1: San Francisco Bay. Launching from the Marina Bay Yacht Harbor in Marina Bay, you will leave the dock at 6:30 am and return at 3:30 pm. Your group will fish for halibut, striped bass, white sea bass, shark and stingray inside the San Francisco Bay.
Location #2: Farallon Islands. Launching from of Marina Bay Yacht Harbor in Marina Bay, the trip departs from the dock at 6:00 am and returns at 4:30 pm. Your crew will target halibut, rock cod, ling cod and salmon.
Restrictions and Logistics: Trip Expiration: April 29, 2024
Donor: Making Waves Fishing Ministry