This Weekend's Taste Washington Event Joins Forces with Red Cross to Assist in Mudslide Disaster Relief

SEATTLE, March 28, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Event producers of Taste Washington will tap the generosity of some 4,000 event patrons who attend the largest single-region wine and food event in the nation this weekend.

Visit Seattle and the Washington State Wine Commission, which partner to produce the event, are facilitating American Red Cross of Snohomish County cash collection stations on the show floor; 100 percent of these donations will go directly to the mud slide disaster victims.

The 17^th annual Taste Washington event takes place this Saturday and Sunday, March 29-30, from 1-5 p.m. at CenturyLink Event Center. It includes more than 229 Washington State wineries and 68 restaurants and draws attendance from across state and nation, as well as international guests.   

"As we celebrate our state's unique food and wine offerings, our hearts are burdened and troubled by the tragedy in Oso," said Tom Norwalk, President  & CEO of Visit Seattle. "We know our generous and compassionate partners and attendees will do everything they can to assist."

"Each year our community comes together at this time for a great event, but this year there is a need and opportunity to join together and do all we can to support those affected by this tragedy," voiced Steve Warner, President and CEO of the Washington State Wine Commission.

All American Red Cross cash contributions from this event will remain in Washington, offering care and guidance to affected families as they begin to move forward with their long-term recovery. Donations may also be made to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund by texting REDCROSS to 90999 to give $10, or donate other amounts to the fund by visiting www.redcross.org. Each year, the American Red Cross immediately responds to about 70,000 natural and man-made disasters in the U.S., ranging from fires to hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, hazardous materials spills, transportation accidents and explosions. These vital  disaster relief funds are immediately available in times of disaster, such as the Oso mudslide.

To learn more about this weekend's Taste Washington event, visit www.tastewashington.org.

About Visit Seattle:

Visit Seattle, a private, nonprofit marketing organization, has served as Seattle/King County's official destination marketing organization (DMO) for more than 50 years. The goal of these marketing efforts is to enhance the employment opportunities and economic prosperity of the region. For more information, visit www.visitseattle.org.

About the Washington State Wine Commission:

The Washington State Wine Commission represents every licensed winery and every wine grape grower in Washington State. Guided by an appointed board, the Commission provides a marketing platform to raise positive awareness of the Washington State wine industry and

generate greater demand for its wines. Funded almost entirely by the industry – through assessments based on grape and wine sales – the Commission is a state government agency, established by the legislature in 1987. For more information on the Washington State Wine Commission and the Washington State wine industry, please visit www.washingtonwine.org.

SOURCE Washington State Wine Commission