Category: Stories

Our 2023-24 Annual Report: A Letter from our President & Chair

Posted on: Nov 14, 2024

Thirty years ago, a Sony Discman qualified as a technological marvel. The Lion King was raking it in at the box office – decades before we would think to use the words “stream” and “media” in the same sentence. Meanwhile, here in Napa, a group of civic leaders had the wisdom and the vision to…

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Meet our Donors: Edward and Sara Kozel

Posted on: Nov 14, 2024

When Ed and Sara Kozel moved to Calistoga in 2017, they noticed something missing—a place for the community to gather and celebrate the arts. Over the past five years, the Kozels have been anchor donors behind the effort to open the Brannan Center, a nonprofit performing arts venue and community meeting space in Calistoga. The…

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Leaving a Legacy: Jack and Loraine Stuart

Posted on: Nov 14, 2024

When Loraine and Jack Stuart moved to Napa Valley in the late 1970s, they planted roots for their family and their new community—all driven by a passion for making Napa Valley a better place. Jack has served in board roles at Napa Valley Vintners, the Land Trust of Napa County, and recently the St. Helena…

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Grant Spotlight: The ADU Center

Posted on: Nov 14, 2024

For years, Todd and Gabrielle Kuchta knew they would need to create a space where their son Jacob, 26, could gain independence while still receiving the support he needs for his autism. “We’d talked about it for 10 years, even before Jacob graduated high school,” Todd says. “It wasn’t until last year that we finally…

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A Determined Path: Ana Ortega’s Journey in Viticulture

Posted on: Oct 8, 2024

Growing up in Napa, Ana Ortega's family roots run deep in agriculture and the wine industry. As the child of Mexican immigrants who worked in hospitality and in the vineyards, Ana felt a natural pull towards studying viticulture and enology.   After a formative summer mentorship experience through the Napa Valley Education Foundation’s Field of Opportunity…

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After the Fires: Back Home with Wanda Hudspeth

Posted on: Nov 10, 2023

When Wanda Hudspeth lost her Pope Valley home in the 2020 LNU Complex Fire, she didn’t know how she’d be able to recover. A master gardener living in a small home that had been in her family since the 1950s, Wanda had few financial resources, but endless faith in people. She turned to UpValley Family…

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Meet our Donors: Dann and Susan Boeschen

Posted on: Nov 10, 2023

When Dann and Susan Boeschen moved to St. Helena in 1999 from their home in Issaquah, Washington, they planned to retire. “We really flunked retirement big time,” shares Susan. A few years into their idyllic Napa lifestyle, they went from dreams of planting a rose garden to building a winery — eventually opening Boeschen Vineyards.…

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A Beacon of Hope in the Housing Crisis

Posted on: Nov 10, 2023

We believe that our Valley is only as strong as its most vulnerable residents. Unfortunately, significant barriers—like the high cost of housing—stand in the way of local families’ ability to thrive. Napa Sonoma ADU Center exemplifies our entrepreneurial approach to bringing new solutions to local challenges. We launched the ADU Center in 2020, with co-funding…

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Leaving a Legacy: Elaine Honig

Posted on: Nov 10, 2023

When Elaine Honig turned 50, she realized she was, someday — hopefully long in the future — going to die. “I started really thinking about what this all means. I’m just on this planet for this brief time,” says Elaine. “I’ve worked hard. I’ve been a good saver. Thinking about my resources going to something…

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Meet our Donors: Larry Turley and Suzanne Chambers

Posted on: Nov 10, 2023

Suzanne Chambers and Larry Turley first met at the Kapalua Wine & Food Festival in Maui more than 30 years ago. They discovered a shared passion for wine and helping others, a commitment they continue to embrace today. “My parents were teachers, and Suzanne’s parents understood the value of education. It’s hard to do well…

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