Like many small businesses, Thirst is frequently asked to donate to many worthy causes. Unfortunately, we cannot say YES to everyone. We are parents of three small kids and chef/owner Leslie is the daughter of a breast cancer survivor. Therefore, we have deciced to focus our charitable efforts on The Children's Cancer Association. We donate to them in multiple ways, most notably our annual fundraiser we hold at Thirst called Uncork Joy. Our 2008 Uncork Joy raised over $16K and our 2009 event raised nearly $12K.Our next Uncork Joy will be in April 2011.

It is for these reasons that we respectfully decline all other requests for donations.

Learn more about our event below and learn more about how you can get involved with CCA by going to www.JoyRX.org

2009 Uncork Joy: RiverGala for The Children's Cancer Association

Saturday, November 7th, 2009
Thirst Wine Bar & Bistro
Tickets $75 per person - EVENT SOLD OUT
NEXT EVENT APRIL 2011

* Feast on savory and plentiful hors D'oeuvres and food stations featuring the best of the Pacific NW
* Drink high end wines from the Pacific NW and California
* Get a jump-start on holiday shopping with great auction items: art, food/wine, travel, dining, spa/beauty and more
* Enjoy live music
* Have a fun-filled night with old and new friends

Enjoy wines from top produces from Oregon, Washington and California! Dine on gourmet appetizers including bacon wrapped scallops, lamb crostini, blue cheese stuffed figs with prosciutto, Pacific NW salmon bites, stuffed mushrooms, truffles and more! Contribute to a great cause by participating in fun raffles and bidding on unique packages that highlight the fantastic sights, people and tastes of the Pacific Northwest! Bid on artwork from some of Portland’s most sought-after artists.

The Children’s Cancer Association (CCA)
With help from amazing community leaders, Regina Ellis and her family founded The Children’s Cancer Association in 1995, the same year her daughter Alexandra died from cancer at the age of five. Regina’s experience with her child's extensive treatment and surgeries provided her with an understanding of what can help many children and families in medical crisis, and the areas of non-medical care that were unmet by hospitals and community organizations. The Children’s Cancer Association has had the privilege of working directly with extraordinary medical professionals in delivering a series of innovative programs and services. Now in its fourteenth year, CCA is recognized as a national leader, and a friend to tens of thousands of seriously ill children and their families.  Above photograph taken by Joni Kabana and is property of The Children's Cancer Association.

Event Background
As parents of three, Leslie Palmer & Gary Kneski, Owners of Thirst Wine Bar & Bistro are passionate about children. Leslie is the daughter of a breast cancer survivor and granddaughter of four grandparents who passed away from cancer. Gary and Leslie were looking for a cancer-related cause in the greater Portland area when they learned about CCA. They decided that it was the perfect charity to support and settled on a benefit at Thirst. Along with a distinguished committee of other women passionate about family, friendship and giving back to the community, Thirst Wine Bar is pleased to host Uncork Joy RiverGala for Children’s Cancer Association. The 2008 Uncork Joy: RiverGala for Children’s Cancer Association had 80 people attend and raised over $16,000.  There was plenty of wine and decadent, delicious food. Lots of great art and fun auction items were bid on. “Uncork Joy” celebrates CCA’s mission and also represents how we hope attendees will leave the 09 event  -  feeling like they’ve Uncorked Joy!