Murphy-Goode Selects Rachel Reynolds as 'Hero of the Month'

HEALDSBURG, Calif., April 9, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Murphy-Goode Winery has selected Rachel Reynolds of Ashland, Va., as its "A Few Goode Heroes" contest winner for the month of March. Reynolds and her husband, Roger, founded CJ's Thumbs Up Foundation (CJSTUF), a non-profit that provides financial assistance and healthy, in-hospital meals to the families of critically ill children. The organization was created in memory of the Reynolds' 4-year-old daughter, Charlotte Jennie, who lost the fight to pediatric cancer in 2010.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130409/SF91525)

As Murphy-Goode's Hero of the Month, Reynolds will receive a $1,000 donation to CJSTUF. The winery will also make a matching grant to its own non-profit partner, Operation Homefront, the national organization that provides emergency monetary aid to military families. In addition, Reynolds is now eligible for the grand prize of a Fourth of July barbecue in her hometown, hosted by Murphy-Goode.

"Most people in Rachel's situation would be tempted to shut themselves away and think of the world as an unfair place," said Dave Ready, Jr., winemaker for Healdsburg-based Murphy-Goode. "But Rachel has done the opposite — she's positive, generous and empathetic. She doesn't want anyone to ever feel like they're alone. Murphy-Goode is proud to call her a hero."  

In addition to her work with the foundation, Reynolds wrote the memoir "Four Seasons for Charlotte: A Year with Pediatric Cancer," which was published by Palari last summer. The book grew out of a blog she and her husband started to update family and friends about their daughter's illness. She hopes the book will help people better understand how to support loved ones in a similar situation.

"One thing I've learned through this journey is that everyone is dealing with something, and acknowledging that helps build relationships," Reynolds said. "I'm not doing what I'm doing to be a 'hero' — I just felt like I had to step up to the challenge, to do these things because they needed to be done." 

Murphy-Goode's "A Few Goode Heroes" contest will continue through May. To participate, visit the Murphy-Goode Facebook page at www.facebook.com/MurphyGoodeWinery to nominate the person you feel best exemplifies altruism, leadership, self-sacrifice or positive influence. Each month, Murphy-Goode will choose a winner to receive a $1,000 donation to his or her favorite non-profit and make a matching gift to Operation Homefront. Monthly winners are then eligible to receive the grand prize of a Fourth of July barbecue.

Murphy-Goode has long sought to recognize heroes. Since Fall 2011, the winery has partnered with Operation Homefront to support military families in need. Murphy-Goode has donated more than $100,000 to the cause on behalf of the winery and its fans.

To learn more, visit www.murphygoodewinery.com  or www.facebook.com/MurphyGoodeWinery. Must be 21 or older to participate.

ABOUT MURPHY-GOODE WINERY
Located in the beautiful and acclaimed Alexander Valley region of Sonoma County, Murphy-Goode is a family-owned winery known for award-winning California wines from Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay to Pinot Noir, Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon. Founded by Tim Murphy, Dale Goode and David Ready, Sr. in 1985 and now part of Jackson Family Wines, Murphy-Goode believes in great wines and good times with family and friends. The winery is proud to support Operation Homefront and its work with wounded warriors and the families of service members.

ABOUT OPERATION HOMEFRONT
A national nonprofit, Operation Homefront leads more than 4,500 volunteers with nationwide presence who provide emergency and other financial assistance to the families of service members and wounded warriors. Operation Homefront has met more than 741,000 needs of military families since its inception in 2002.  A four-star rated charity by watchdog Charity Navigator, nationally, 94 percent of total revenue donated to Operation Homefront goes directly to programs that provide support to our military families. For more information, go to www.OperationHomefront.net.

ABOUT CJ'S THUMBS UP FOUNDATION
CJ's Thumbs Up Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that provides assistance to families of children with chronic and life threatening illnesses. They are based in Ashland, Va. Since their founding in 2010, CJSTUF has provided over $48,000 in individual assistance to over 100 families and last year provided healthy meals for 1,000 caregivers. Learn more at www.cjstuf.org.

SOURCE Murphy-Goode Winery