WineStyles supports Willow Place

MARYSVILLE — WineStyles conducted its second annual charity wine-tasting Oct. 22 on behalf of Quilceda Community Services, which serves adults with developmental disabilities, but QCS is still conducting its second annual fundraiser.

WineStyles sold close to 30 tickets prior to this year’s event, up from the nearly 20 tickets sold at last year’s event. Both the wine-tasting and QCS’s holiday wreath sale will benefit Willow Place, an activity center in Marysville.

“We sold almost 50 fresh evergreen wreaths last year,” QCS Board President Karen Harper said. “We’ve sold about 20 so far this year. We can only make 105.”

Pre-orders are already being accepted, and wreaths are selling for $30 with a bow and $25 without. Wreaths will be available for pickup or delivery after Nov. 21.

Wreaths are made from clippings in Harper’s woodsy backyard and ferns donated by the city of Marysville Parks and Recreation Department.

QCS began as a pilot program for adults with developmental disabilities in 2007, and started Willow Place in 2008 with four clients. Willow Place now has 28 registered clients and serves them multiple times a week, through fitness programs with workout equipment, art sessions and recreational activities ranging from bingo to drum circles.

QCS itself serves clients aged 19-62, who come from Stanwood, Mukilteo and Lake Stevens, as well as Marysville and Tulalip. Their clients include the blind, the deaf, those with Down syndrome and those with Alzheimer’s.

Harper thanked the community for its support of QCS, and WineStyles for its generosity in hosting their fundraiser, noting that last year’s fundraisers generated more than $1,000.

Call Willow Place Activity Manager Hillary Nettles at 360-653-2324 to reserve a wreath, Mondays through Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., or e-mail her at willow@QCS.comcastbiz.net.