Bellevue LifeSpring is thrilled to announce our 2022 Uncork the Night Event Chairs. Board Member Darin Chestnut, his wife Lisa Chestnut, and 2019 Uncork the Night Co-Chair Ellen Wilwerding are leading this year’s auction taking place on Saturday, October 8, at the W Bellevue — and tickets are on sale now!
Darin, Lisa, and Ellen are all dedicated Bellevue community members committed to creating an incredible experience for Uncork the Night guests. Hear from each of them about why they decided to become chairs and what they look forward to most at this year’s event.
Hi Darin!
What motivated you to become an Uncork the Night Chair?
I have a passion for wine, and I feel that chairing the event is a great way to help give back to our community while using my passion. Helping organize an event that raises money to help our community’s children and families is rewarding on many levels. My wife, Lisa, and I have always enjoyed the Uncork the Night event, so when the opportunity arose to chair the event, I was all in!
Why is the Bellevue LifeSpring mission meaningful to you?
The Bellevue LifeSpring mission is meaningful to me because Bellevue is a great community, and the mission focuses on trying to help keep Bellevue a great community. Bellevue LifeSpring is all about neighbors helping neighbors, which I fully support. Children are the future, and the community needs to help them grow. No child should have to experience hunger or homelessness.
What’s your favorite part of Uncork the Night?
I love seeing how much money is raised to help our community. The impact these funds will have is unmeasurable.
Hi Lisa!
What motivated you to become an Uncork the Night Chair?
I was motivated by the Bellevue LifeSpring mission. I strongly believe in preventing hunger for children and providing opportunities for them to be successful in school. Uncork the Night is a fun and exciting celebration of wine that also helps support Bellevue families and children.
What’s your favorite part of Uncork the Night?
My favorite part is that this event raises funds to help Bellevue children and families. And, of course, the signature winemakers are always spectacular with wine tastings you don’t want to miss! I also love participating in the Cocktail Frenzy and Dessert Dash — they are crazy fun!
What are you excited about for this year’s event?
This year, I’m so excited for the new venue at the W Bellevue. The food at Uncork the Night is always delicious, but this year’s food will be the best yet. As one of the event chairs, I get to taste the food offerings from the W and choose what we will be serving to guests. It was hard to choose — every bite was yummy and will be amazing paired with the curated wines! (Check out this year’s menu!)
I am also excited for our caring community to come together in a special place surrounded by great wine and lots of laughter, all to raise a ton of money for children and families that need support.
Hi Ellen!
What motivated you to become an Uncork the Night Chair?
I was a Chair for the last Uncork the Night in 2019. It was a great night and such a successful event that when the opportunity arose again, I jumped at the chance to help bring awareness to the Bellevue community about children in need.
Why do you think it’s important to give where you live?
No one knows Bellevue better than those of us that live right here. That’s why it’s important to help the children and families we interact with daily in our community. The families we are helping are those that may live next door to us or classmates of our children. Look around in the bleachers the next time you go to a Friday night football game at the local high school. One in five Bellevue School District students may be experiencing food and housing insecurity.
What are you most excited about for this year’s event?
First, this year’s event is being held at the W Hotel. This venue is a completely different vibe than in years past. It’s going to be beautiful! In addition, we have some fantastic local winery partners joining us to continue the tradition of celebrating great wine and some extraordinary experiences and packages to bid on during the auction.
I look forward to seeing you all there!
Thank you, Darin, Lisa, and Ellen! For tickets and more, visit www.BellevueLifeSpring.org/wine.
