Summer is coming to an end, but the fun in the city is just starting to begin. With the cooler weather comes an abundance of events for residents of every age. For the adults looking for a night out, the Care Clinic is hosting its 24th Annual Toast of the Town Wine Tasting and Silent Auction.
It is a night to get a little jazzed up and sample some of the best North Carolina wine, beer, and spirits while taking in the vibrant floral ambiance of the Cape Fear Botanical Gardens and the sounds of Five Star Entertainment. Festivities will commence on Friday, Sept. 20, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Tickets are $100 ($125 at the door) and include admission, food, a 50/50 raffle, and a chance to be the winning bid on some of the incredible items in the silent auction. Tickets can be purchased at https://www.toastofthetownfay.com/s/shop. Everything will be locally sourced, from the drinks to the food with South Catering of Garland, NC providing the food, providing 7 food stations to delight the palate.
Aiyana Lynch, Development and Marketing Director explained, “Each drink offered during the night comes directly from a North Carolinian vendor, providing a wide array of selections for you to savor.”
For anyone interested in having a more immersive, personal experience, there is a VIP Wine and Food pairing, hosted and curated by the former owner of The Wine Cafe, Angie, and begins at 5:30 p.m. With only 50 VIP tickets available organizers encourage purchasing tickets early.
This event isn’t just for fun, it's for a cause, with the proceeds of the silent auction going directly back into the Care Clinic to fund their work in the community.
“This is an annual event that is held at the beautiful Cape Fear Botanical Garden. At this event, attendees get to enjoy samples of locally made wine, beer, and spirits, heavy hors d’oeuvres, dessert, coffee, and unbeatable silent auction packages. All proceeds from this event will benefit The CARE Clinic. Our mission is to provide free quality healthcare to the uninsured adult residents of Cumberland and bordering counties. Our evening clinics are staffed completely by clinical volunteers who work tirelessly to meet the needs of our patients. Since we do not receive any government funding, we rely on grants, donations, and fundraising events like this one to maintain clinic operations. Please join us in our mission to serve our neighbors in need,” Lynch said.
This year’s event sponsors include:
Cape Fear Valley Health
Waren Investment Group
FWC Financial
The UPS Store
AmFund
Debbie Bender Design
Kriss Ward Photography
Five Star Entertainment
South Catering
US Logoworks
Timothy D. Edwards
Attorney at Law
Lumbee Guaranty Bank
Bass Air NearU
Rick Hendrick Toyota
Up & Coming Weekly
Bragg Mutual Federal
Credit Union
Yarborough, Winters,
& Neville, P.A.
Kalli Ziegler Properties
Edward Jones - Debbie Best
Professional Transitions, LLC
Pryzgoda Family Dental Care
LaFayette Lincoln
Main Event
Sponsorships are still available for those interested. Packages include complimentary tickets, advertisement of business, acknowledgment of sponsorship, and featured in an issue of the Care Clinic newsletter.
Prices of sponsorships range from $300- $1000. Those interested should contact Aiyana Lynch at 910-485-0555 or development@thecareclinic.org.

(Photo: Glasses from the 22nd Annual Toast of the Town sit ready to be filled at the Cape Fear Botanical Garden. Photo courtesy of Facebook)