Moment in The Sun: pinged for charity

Over 120 guests turned up for the Sonoma Mentoring Alliance’s annual Ping Pong Tournament at Bloom Carneros on September 13. 

Above, from left: Jordan Kivelstadt, Susie Gallo, Marie Bradley, and Whitney Sangiacomo enjoy the action.

“The 300-plus mentees were the real winners, but the epic championship match between brothers Kirk Jr. and Taylor was quite a show,” reports Gallo, the Alliance executive director. “Both of their parents are mentors at Flowery Elementary School. Doubles winners were Richard and Sherry Preiss, also mentors.”

Former mentee Jeremy Swanton raffled off three separate weeks at his Maui condo, and Jason Palter of Valley of the Moon Flooring won for the second year in a row.

Other raffle prizes included tickets to a Warriors game and a hot air balloon ride. Chef Jennifer McMurray created a delightful spread to pair with Sangiacomo Family Wines, Highway 12, and Sonoma Springs.

The Mentoring Alliance currently has a waiting list of approximately 70 children waiting to meet their mentor. Apply today at www.sonomamentoring.org/mentors, or call 707-938-1990 for more information. 

The next new mentor orientation is on October 10.