Open "Thank You" Letter...

I submitted the following letter to all of our news publications in the Melrose area - as well as the Boston Globe.  As I've yet to see it appear online or in print - I wanted to also put it on the blog so that anyone who visits here, will know how important everyone's contributions are and how they have not gone unnoticed.

"As we're approaching the holiday season, everyone has returned from their summer vacations and settled back into their daily routines; Thanksgiving is upon us, and what better time to reflect upon things that have happened in the past year, and remember people whom we are grateful for?

Giving back to the community is the advertising model that Beacon Hill Wine & Gourmet uses; as opposed to traditional advertising, we choose to use our funds towards donating to as many charitable events in and around our community.  We feel that it is a "win-win" situation and we're helping as much as a small business can.  In addition to that, we also run fundraisers throughout the year for various organizations that are near and dear to us, or for events that are tragic and strike our hearts.  This past year we held 3 such events - the first one was a Red Cross/Hurricane Sandy Victims Fundraiser; the 2d was our Annual Dana Farber/Jimmy Fund Fundraiser that we hold each April, the Sunday prior to Marathon Monday; and the 3rd one was our Fundraiser to Benefit Marc Fucarile, one of the more severely injured Boston Marathon Bombing victims in our community.

While I thank everyone for their support and participation for each event, I'd like to take a moment to show special appreciation and gratitiude for the fundraiser that benefitted Marc.  This was an event that was our largest ever, featuring over 9 vendors both inside and outside of our store - a "block party" so to speak. I'd like to thank my customers who shopped that day knowing that their purchase proceed was going to such a great cause; and then also donated to the raffle in addition to their purchase. I am truly thankful for your support. 

I'd like to thank not only the vendors that participated, but the incredibly generous donors who volunteered to donate items to our raffle once they heard about it.  I did not solicit any items; I planned on donating my own products to raffle off and I was overwhelmed with the generosity from local businesses. wineries across the country - and even customers - who graciously said " I want to do something to contribute".  We had over 30 raffle items donated ranging from gift certificates, handmade blankets & gifts, to autographed athletic jerseys and caps, bottles and cases of wine, Boston Strong glasses - to our largest of donations, a gas grill.  This was our most financially successful fundraiser to date, with 100% of raffle donations and over 15% of my sales for the day donated. 

I am proud to say that in September, I had the opportunity to meet Marc & his fiancee Jen - and present them with the donation of over $3200.00  I can tell you first hand, that all who donated can feel good knowing that their donation in kindness to a stranger - will absolutely have an impact on his life.

I'd like to publicly thank the following businesses & people:  City of Melrose, Gray's Appliances & Brad Hutchinson Realty, Melrose Boot Camp, Madison Avenue, Bodyography, Beacon Hill Wine & Spirits, MS Walker Wines, Oz Pacific Wines, Gauthier Vineyards, Vineyard Road Wines & Evening Land Vineyards, Harpoon Brewery, Craft Brewers/Michael O'Neill, Mayflower Beer, AFLAC, Sinfully Tanned, Diane Keohane, Lisa Miller, Tara Dillon, Kristina Harrison, Dr. Joel Alper DDS, Jessica's Brick Oven, Savory Food Importing, Dom's Sausage, Chilly Cow, To Die for Dips, Fiore Di Nonno, Wine Cask & Lapis Luna Vineyards, Marie Nyland/Stella & Dot, BYoga, Accardi Foods, Burke Distributing, Minuteman Press, Kristin Stelle/Maritignetti Distributors and Lisa Hall.

Lastly but equally as important,  I'd like to thank my staff who always go over and above in their efforts in everything that they do, most especially in events such as these.

While I know this was a long winded thank you, it was something that I didn't think could be skimped on; when saying "thank you" and showing gratitude and appreciation to so many, I think it's important to have everyone understand the importance of their actions, no matter how small they may have felt their contribution was.  I am so incredibly proud to be a part of a community who rises to the occasion time and time again - and for that, I will forever feel honored and thankful.

Best,

Rebecca Beraldi.
Beacon Hil Wine & Gourmet"

Next on the tasting schedule is....

So, if you weren't able to attend our fabulous holiday tasting this past Friday, then mark your calendars for this coming one! 

Turtle Creek winery from Lincoln MA will be in the house for a very special wine tasting. Join us from 5-8 for some wines made in Massachusetts style! 

Cheers!

There's always something new going on.....

Did you know that every Saturday in our Melrose store, starting at 11am we sample out wine and cheese?  Rain, Snow, Sleet, Sunshine - it doesn't matter....the tastebuds are alive and kicking and we're happy to share some of our favorite finds with you.

Coming next week to both the Beacon Hill & Melrose:

LOCAL WINE FANS - hold onto your hats.  Mill River Winery out of Rowley, MA will be on our shelves.  Their Plum Island Sweeter Red and Plum Island Sweet White are sure to make your summer soirees feel a little more "beachside"....and their Sauvignon Blanc & Unoaked Chardonnay are quite nice.  We really think you're going to enjoy them.

DOG LOVERS -- Also coming are the Stray Dog Wines....inexpensive and delicious, these wines are not only fun - but they're generous!  A portion of the proceeds of my buying cases goes straight to the ASPCA!  If you try these wines and find that you seriously love them - you may want to consider buying cases of them.  You get 15% from me - while allowing for more money to go to the best organization in the world for protecting our furry friends.  Just something to think about.....

THEY'RE BACK -- after a two week hiatus, we're happy to tell you that Maitland Farm's Holly's Spicy Pickles are back in the refrigerator in Melrose.  These are hands down the most delicious pickles in town.  You've got to try them if you haven't already - and you'll see what we mean!

As always, we're happy to help you find something special for your wine glass, beer mug or dinner table.  Special orders are always welcome and it's our pleasure to work with you.

Cheers!

Fundraiser for Marc Fucarile - SUCCESS!

We are thrilled with the turnout for our Fundraiser to support Marc Fucarile, one of the Boston Marathon Bombing Survivors from Stoneham yesterday.  So much so, that while we were taking raffle donations yesterday - we are going to continue accepting them today (June 2d) as a result of so many people asking to donate - who were unable to attend yesterday.  So if you missed the block party - that's okay!  You can still donate today....

Here's a snapshot of the fun....
(And did I mention that I have the best staff, ever??)

A HUGE thank you - to all of our wonderful vendors who participated:  Dom's Sausage, Chilly Cow of Arlington, Fiore Di Nonno, To Die For, Savory Food Importers, MS Walker Wine, Oz Pacific Wines, Harpoon Beer and Jessica's Brick Oven Bakery!

An even larger thank you to all the wonderful people who came out and donated...both my incrediby generous customers, and equally generous commercial counterparts in Melrose and in the wine/food industry.  It is your kindness and generosity that allowed us to help in a small way - someone who's life has been forever altered.

Boston Strong - Fundraiser for Stoneham's Marc Fucarile, 1 June 2013

The Boston Marathon bombings had such a tremendous impact, because while Boston is a major metropolitan city - it's still a very small world.  It is almost impossible to not know someone that was either injured, or at the very minmium - present - at the time of the tragedy.  It doesn't take 6 degrees of separation to have a personal tie for most of us, and that is amazing and scary when you stop and think about it.

We wanted to do a fundraiser, but rather than donating to the One Fund - we wanted to do something more personal - and have an event with proceeds to go directly to one victim.  After hearing the breadth of injuries that Marc Fucarile suffered, we felt drawn towards supporting him and his family, and have coordinated a fundraiser to benefit him specifically.

Please join us on June 1st, from 12-4 as we have beer, wine and food vendors and some incredibly outstanding raffle items!  15% of the total sales for the day are being donated as well as 100% of raffle donations. 

Here's just a sampling of what we have lined up for vendors (more being determined as of this writing, so keep checking back!): Distlers Pretzels, To Die For Dips, Dom's Sausages, Fiore di Nonno Cheese, Jessica's Brick Oven Breads,  Harpoon Beer, Oz Wine, MS Walker Wine and more!

Raffle Items donated to date (more being donated, updates to follow!):   2 collections of 6 bottles of Gauthier Wine & 2 Boston Strong Wine Glasses, (courtesy of Gauthier Wines & Diane Keohane), Bodyography Gift Certificate (Bodyography), Sinfully Tanned Personalized Tanning Certificate (Sinfully Tanned),  Madison Avenue Gift Certificate (Madison Avenue), Weber Gas Grill (Brad Hutchinson RE & Grays Appliance), Tiganello (MS Walker), Craft Beer collection (Craft Brewers), Beer donation (Mayflower Beer), Giant AFLAC duck (AFLAC) and more!

Please make it a point to come, because every dollar counts - and we want to make this the most successful fundraiser ever. 

Boston is strong...but most importantly, Boston is supportive of one another.