WVC Foundation benefits from RLS Productions' Summer Concerts in the Gardens

Media Contact: Stacey Lockhart, WVC Foundation executive director, 509.682.6415, and Robert Sandidge, RLS Productions, 509.669.6872

September 24, 2015

The WVC Foundation receives scholarship funding from proceeds generated by RLS Productions' Concerts in the Gardens.

 

Wenatchee Valley College Foundation Board President Michelle Green and Executive Director Stacey Lockhart proudly accepted two $2,000 gifts for scholarships this week generated by RLS Productions' Summer Concerts in the Gardens, a five-week long concert series held throughout July and early August at Ohme Gardens.

This is the second year that Robert and Catherine (Rio) Sandidge, founders and owners of the concert series, have presented the WVC Foundation with a contribution in support of WVC students. This year, the WVC Foundation was overjoyed by the additional matching support from Dennis and Beth Dobbs, owners of Horan Estates Winery in Cashmere, Wash.

"An education is an amazing gift," the Dobbs said. "The WVC Foundation is an asset in our community. We want those opportunities to continue to be available. Our love of music, continued support of our community and the annual scholarships that arise from RLS Productions' Summer Concerts in the Gardens series made this contribution a natural fit."

Robert Sandidge said, "As graduates of Wenatchee Valley College, Rio and I both are especially connected to our community college and its programs. We see the need that students have first-hand and are pleased to be able to give back to support students of the educational institution that is so close to our hearts and in our backyard." Sandidge serves on the WVC Foundation Board of Directors and is active with the WVC Alumni Association.

Bre Hinkle is one of the students to benefit from scholarship funding from the first season of the RLS Concerts in the Gardens, and had an opportunity to work on promotional materials for the concert season as a WVC Graphic Design student in 2014-15. "Receiving the 2014 scholarship made me want to give back and participate in making these scholarships continue to grow, to give more students the boost they need to continue their education and keep following their dreams," Hinkle said.

Hinkle is now employed in the marketing department at the Town Toyota Center and continues her involvement in the summer concerts as a volunteer and WVC alumna.

Michelle Green, WVC Foundation President said, "The WVC Foundation can't thank all of the supporters and sponsors of the RLS Productions' Summer Concerts in the Gardens enough—words can't express how much their support means to us and we thank everyone who is involved, as a sponsor, a concert ticket holder or a musician who has performed. We can't wait for 2016!" Green is an attorney and partner of the law firm Jeffers, Danielson, Sonn & Aylward in Wenatchee and a graduate of Cashmere High School.

National artists dominated the 2015 summer concerts lineup. Robert and Rio Sandidge, with the support of their sponsors and others, established RLS Productions' Summer Concerts in the Gardens in 2013.

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The WVC Foundation was incorporated in 1971. It exists to build relationships between the community and the college and raise financial support for Wenatchee Valley College students, programs, faculty and staff, as well as special projects such as building campaigns like the Music and Art Center. For information on how to make a gift to the foundation, establish a scholarship or include the WVC Foundation in your estate plans, contact Stacey Lockhart, executive director at 509.682.6410 or slockhart@wvc.edu. Visit the WVC Foundation website at www.wvc.edu/foundation.

Three goals drive RLS Productions' Summer Concerts in the Gardens. First, increase mid-week tourism outside a 50-mile radius of Wenatchee Valley and its bedroom communities. Second, lay the foundation for the ability to produce and build a world-class intimate venue at Ohme Gardens, resulting in increased tourism. Third, build a $35,000 scholarship endowment for the Wenatchee Valley College Foundation through an annual contribution of 25 percent of the net ticket sales, while at the same time generating immediate financial assistance for students in need.