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Help Fund a Readiness Center Encore

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Last year, just days before the Annual Smooth Jazz at Sunset concert at the Silver Beach Pavilion, legendary restaurateur Pete Racine from the Grand Mere Inn passed away. His generosity to community causes, especially the Readiness Center of Benton Harbor was paramount in successful fund raising on multiple occasions. In light of the legacy he had left behind, Pete's dear friend Paul Landeck from Tabor Hill Winery & Restaurant wanted to do something to salute his life.

Landeck and his fellow major sponsors from the Smooth Jazz at Sunset event, Bud Distributing, fired up a full-tilt collaboration to pass the hat at the concert to raise money for Pete's beloved friends at the Readiness Center. Several other major underwriters pitched in on the effort and more than $10,000 was raised for Sister Paulita Walters and her crew at the Readiness Center. It was a true legacy of love.

This year, Tabor Hill and Bud Distributing are renewing their pledge to match donor dollars to the Readiness Center up to $2,500, just as they did a year ago. The fundraising campaign, however, is not a component of the concert this year, and there are no plans to pass the hat, however both Landeck and Bud Distributing's Jeff Nate are asking everyone to consider renewing the donations they made a year ago. All donations up to $2,500 will be matched by the two businessmen and the process is very simple. Just mail a donation check to the Readiness Center, or you can donate online right now by clicking the link below.

A simple $2,000 grant more than 35 years ago was all Sister Paulita had in order to get her center up and running. Since those humble beginnings, the Readiness Center in Benton Harbor has helped more than 1,200 children to be ready for kindergarten and to succeed in school. Along they way, they've received a lot of financial support, including from many private donors like those who offered up their help last year. 

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Pete Racine and his family and employees prepared many meals and held special dinners to fund the Readiness Center over the years, donating all of the food, the employee's time, and much more to make those dinners a sell-out success year after year. 

You can learn much more about the good work of Sister Paulita and her small staff by looking through the website when you click below to donate. Please keep in mind that there will be no on-site collection effort this year at Smooth Jazz at Sunset, but give strong consideration to renewing your donation from last year, or even giving for the first time by clicking the link below. Without passing the hat, it may be tougher to raise the money this year…but with the incentive of having your donation doubled by the generous efforts of Tabor Hill Winery and Bud Distributing, there's no reason why we can't actually top the effort of a year ago, and show the Readiness Center some true love in the summer of 16. Thanks.

Here is the link: http://www.readinesscenterinc.org   (The Donate Now button is displayed at the top left of the home page)
 

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