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Event organizer Shaina Zura, left, and co-host Talon Bronson.
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The gallery before the event
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SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – Shaina Zura, who spent some of her teenage years as a reporter with Youth Journalism International, pulled together the organization’s first major West Coast benefit event on Saturday.
The adults-only wine-tasting party, held at Spoke Art, a San Francisco gallery, offered a variety of wines from around the world, cheeses and other refreshments.
A silent auction including goods and services donated by Bay Area businesses added to the success of the evening.
The San Francisco party, one in a series of “I Love YJI” fundraising events, followed others held in Durban, South Africa, Kabul, Afghanistan and in Central Connecticut, where YJI is headquartered. More events are in the works.
Zura, who wrote news stories for YJI as a high school student in Connecticut in the late 1990s, got a little help at the wine tasting benefit Saturday night from Talon Bronson, a YJI writer from Portland, Oregon.
Bronson, 21, was visiting the Bay Area and took time out to lend a hand with the event.
“It was a truly inspiring night,” said Zura.
youthjournalism.org
Wine expert Kellie Michelle Coahran spent the
evening behind the wine table, explaining about
the wines available for tasting and pouring.
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youthjournalism.org
Interest in YJI’s work and enthusiasm for the organization was evident throughout the evening.
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youthjournalism.org
Participants got a chance
to
view great art as well
as enjoy
a variety of wine
and cheese.
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youthjournalism.org |
youthjournalism.org
Plenty of informational material,
such as brochures and fact
sheets that explain about YJI,
were
available at the benefit.
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youthjournalism.org
Participants checked out the details on silent auction items that ranged from mobile phones to massage, high end cosmetics, tarot card readings and dog training sessions.
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youthjournalism.org
Friends gathered at the gallery to spend some time together and support YJI
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youthjournalism.org
Event host, organizer and YJI alum Shaina Zura, right, surveys the crowd.
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Spoke Art donated its beautiful
gallery space for Youth Journalism
International to hold its biggest
West Coast event yet. We’re grateful
to the gallery for its generosity.
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youthjournalism.org
Lots of people turned out for the wine tasting benefit and a good time was had by all.
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youthjournalism.org
San Francisco fashion is truly cutting edge, as evidenced by this man’s handsome pin.
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