The 14th Annual SMS Equipment Wine Auction, held on September 14th at Shell Place, was a resounding success, raising just over $135,000 to support Big Brothers Big Sisters of Wood Buffalo. This extraordinary evening brought together community members for an unforgettable celebration of elegance, entertainment, and philanthropy.
Guests were treated to a beautiful evening in the Grand Ballroom, transformed by Cass & Nat Event Planning, with the musical entertainment of the Dueling Piano Kings while tasting selections of exquisite wines with Outpost Wines and specialty scotches and custom cocktails crafted by Cocktails by Boots. Special ticket holders were able to experience the VIP Tasting Room, featuring tastings of top-of-the-line wines and scotch, and all guests were able to bid on a variety of items during the spirited live and silent auctions. This year also included the excitement of the much-anticipated Wine Pull, which sold out 100 bottles in just over an hour, leaving the lucky key holder with a magnum of specialty wine to take home.
“Every cork popped and bid placed directly contributes to the empowerment of children and young adults in our region,” says Larry Gouthro, General Manager of SMS Equipment. “Supporting youth in our region is vital, as they are our future leaders and innovators, and at SMS Equipment we believe in investing in their potential, which is why we host the Wine Auction each year. It’s an opportunity to bring our community together, raise funds, and empower the next generation.”
This year’s event would not have been possible without the generous contributions from sponsors and partners, including; Title Sponsor – SMS Equipment, Venue Sponsor – Fort McMurray 468 First Nation, Stage Sponsor – Suncor, VIP Room Sponsor – Manitoulin Transport, Volunteer Sponsor – Qline Trucking, Live Auction Sponsor – Leavitt Machinery, Wine Pull Sponsor – Aircon, Welcome Drink Sponsor – Northstar Ford, Cocktail Bar Sponsor – Cummins, and all of our Cellar and In-Kind Sponsors.
A heartfelt thank you also goes out to our partners; Regional Recreational Corporation, Cass & Nat Event Planning, Cocktails by Boots, Outpost Wine and Tasting, Fort Mac Liquor, and Harvard Media for their support in bringing this event together and making it a memorable night for all.
For more information and a full list of sponsors and partners, please visit woodbuffalo.bigbrothersbigsisters.ca.
Mark your calendars for next year’s special 15th Anniversary of the SMS Equipment Wine Auction, scheduled for September 20th, 2025. Together, we can continue to make a lasting impact on the lives of young people in our community.
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For Media Inquiries Contact:
Anna Pottie
Community Engagement Coordinator
wbevents@bigbrothersbigsisters.ca
780-791-2447