Issue date: 4/6/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Lyle Chan Nina Gralilan, left, and daughter Lindsey Joyce taste some of Corison Winery's Cabernet Sauvignon at the wine tasting held in the Sacramento State Alumni Center on Thursday night. [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: Lyle Chan Wineries and local restaurants were present at the wine tasting held in the Sacramento State Alumni Center on Thursday evening. The event was a fundraiser put on by the Pre-Dental Association. [Click to enlarge]

Plenty of wine was flowing to the beat of the live music Thursday in the Alumni Center at the Sacramento State's Pre-Dental Association's first wine tasting and dinner event, and all for a sweet cause.

"It was absolutely a success. 300 people showed up," said Don Adams, the president of the association.

The campus club sought to gather $15,000 for the Sacramento District Dental Society's(SDDS)Smiles for Kids Program. The mission was to raise enough money to purchase a brand new backpack, full of school supplies, for each of the children in the program.

"It's estimated that each backpack will be about $25," Adams said.

At press time, it was unknown how much money was raised, but Adams said they seemed to meet the goal, or at least get very close.

According to the SDDS website, the Smiles for Kids Dental and Orthodontic Program is dedicated to the treatment of underprivileged children in the community. The Sacramento District Dental Society has hope that local dentists will feel obliged to participate by hosting their own clinics or partnering up with other professionals who are interested.

A local dental insurance company gave 850 toothbrushes, and the Sacramento chapter of a national dental association donated $1,000 to the charity fundraiser. Tickets for the event ranged from $20 to $50, Adams said.

The event featured several Northern Californian wineries and restaurants, musical entertainment and a silent auction, said Assabi Isaac, treasurer of the Pre-Dental Student Association.

"We had Tokyo Fro's rolling fresh sushi over here… and the Melting Pot in the back corner. It was great," said Jesse Manton, a senior business management major.

The evening began with food and wine, followed by voting on the best red and white wines as well as favorite restaurant. Then there was an award show to announce the results. Participants were then invited to dance the night away to the live tunes of The Oncalls, a band whose members are all health professionals.

The club advertised the event on campus, and invited all other clubs.

"Some students (came), but mostly professionals and pre-dental students. It was great for networking, plus we got to make a difference by helping the kids," Manton said.

The wine tasting event was the first big charity affair sponsored by the Pre-Dental Association. Manton hopes to be president of the club next year, and he has plans to make sure this event takes place a second time around.

"Because of the turn-out, we're definitely doing it again," he said. Manton hopes with more student body involvement and community awareness, it will be bigger and better.

Bailey Mannisto-Iches can be reached at news@statehornet.com

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