AMHERST – Amy LaBelle, co-owner and winemaker at LaBelle Winery, supports a range of family, community and civic groups in New Hampshire through the winery’s charitable giving program. LaBelle has helped dozens of organizations achieve their fundraising goals since founding LaBelle Winery in 2005.

Along with expanding LaBelle Winery’s locations, goods and services, one of LaBelle’s primary goals had been to increase the winery’s community support through philanthropic giving. These stories will be featured on LaBelle’s upcoming lifestyle program, “The Winemaker’s Kitchen Show.”

“Every month, LaBelle Winery receives dozens of requests for charitable contributions. In order to handle LaBelle’s charitable giving program and the actual distribution of donations, Amy has formed an internal charitable giving committee,” says a member of LaBelle Winery’s team.

LaBelle has helped nonprofit organizations achieve their fundraising goals in a number of ways. A frequently requested contribution is a complimentary wine tasting conducted by winery employees at an offsite venue. These tastings are seen as an important attraction by hosting groups because they boost the number of people who attend their events, Labelle says.

Labelle has also graciously reduced or waived facility rental and audio-visual rental fees for philanthropic groups who choose to host fundraising events at LaBelle Winery.

The winery also supports organizations in more traditional ways: by donating auction items, such as complimentary tickets to LaBelle-sponsored educational classes, gift baskets, gift cards, LaBelle Links golf memberships, private wine tasting certificates for small or large groups, cooking demonstrations, tickets to LaBelle-sponsored events, ad purchases, sponsorships and cash contributions.

Throughout the year, LaBelle’s team also hosts a variety of family-friendly events with a philanthropic component, including an annual Christmas tree lighting celebration. Attendees are encouraged to donate to the featured nonprofit’s cause.

“This past winter we hosted LaBelle Lights at our Derry location,” LaBelle says. “This event, which supports Toys for Tots, End 68 Hours of Hunger and Empowering Angels, has received amazing support from the community.”

Charities LaBelle Winery has supported include End 68 Hours of Hunger; Catholic Charities; Homeland Heroes Foundation; Children’s Advocacy Center; Girls Inc. of New Hampshire; Manchester Community Health Center; Shelter from the Storm; American Heart Association; NH Food Bank; High Hopes Foundation of NH; CHaD; Stay Work Play; Granite YMCA; Big Brothers Big Sisters of New Hampshire; Front Door Agency; Families in Transition; Easterseals New Hampshire; Veterans Count; Habitat For Humanity; and Front Door Agency as well as local Rotary clubs, Lions clubs, women’s clubs, soup kitchens, boys and girls clubs, schools and PTA organizations.

LaBelle’s own nonprofit, Empowering Angels, helps to empower young people by introducing them to the idea of entrepreneurship. The winery hosts an annual two-day entrepreneurship camp. LaBelle also speaks about entrepreneurship at local schools, hoping to spark the idea that entrepreneurship can be an option for everyone.

For more info on Amy Labelle visit http://labellewinery.com.