Kishwaukee United Way has invited the DeKalb and Sycamore communities to enjoy a night of wine tasting and silent auctions at the Taste of the Vine fundraiser today.

Taste of the Vine will be held from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Church of St. Mary’s Memorial Hall, 322 Waterman St. Tickets for the event can be bought at the door for $30 or can be reserved through the phone for $25 per ticket. Attendees can expect wine samples, food catered by Premier Catering, and silent auctioning of gift baskets.

All proceeds from ticket sales and the silent auction benefit Kishwaukee United Way.

“United Way works with 24 local agencies that work with early childhood education to seniors,” said Dawn Littlefield, Kishwaukee United Way executive director. “All donations stay local and assist in other charitable causes in the DeKalb area.”

The event has been held for 15 years and started off as a Taste of DeKalb event with different foods from the area, Littlefield said. The event has evolved into wine sampling with the large silent auction as the signature piece.

“We have 140 baskets filled with gifts ranging from sports tickets to electronics, and wine themed baskets,” Littlefield said.

The gift baskets and gifts have been donated from a number of local places, Littlefield said. The biggest support comes from the Kishwaukee Health System sponsorship as the “presenting sponsorship.” This level of sponsorship is a $2,500 sponsorship for the event.

“We have been a major supporter of United Way for many years,” said Sharon Emanuelson, Kishwaukee Health System’s marketing and public relations director. “United Way serves so many service agencies so it is a natural fit for us to support.”

In the past, the event has raised several thousands of dollars, and made $20,000 one year, Littlefield said. She hopes for this kind of fundraising this year.

“Taste of the Vine is really a celebration of the generous community in Sycamore and DeKalb,” Littleman said.

To reserve tickets, please call 815-756-7522.