August 27, 2020

Media Contact:
Libby Siebens, community relations executive director, 509-682-6436
Robert Sandidge, RLS Productions, LLC, 509-669-6872

Horan Estates Winery and RLS Productions are partnering to raise funds for the annual scholarships awarded by the Wenatchee Valley College Foundation. The scholarships are normally funded by the annual RLS Productions’ Concerts in the Gardens summer series. With the cancelation of the series this year due to the pandemic, scholarships will be funded by private donations and from the RLS Productions endowment account.

“We’d like to thank Horan Estates Winery’s Dennis and Beth Dobbs for their direct donations for the annual scholarships,” said Robert Sandidge, RLS Productions owner. “We are truly grateful to the greater Wenatchee Valley for coming together to support our community series.”

WVC 2020 $1,000 scholarship recipients are Douglas Brandt, Danielle Johnston, Shea Morgan and Ashley Thoroughman.

RLS Productions has supported Wenatchee Valley College students through scholarships funded by the RLS Productions’ Concerts in the Gardens series since 2014. To date, over $18,000 has been awarded to WVC students and $65,500 has been raised for an endowment. Robert and Rio Sandidge’s new goal for the endowment is $75,000, increased from $35,000 when the endowment was started.

“We are honored to have a partnership with RLS Productions and Horan Estates Winery to benefit WVC students,” said Rachel Evey, WVC Foundation executive director. “It’s inspiring to see Robert and Rio, both WVC alumnus, sharing our mission with the community and having community partnerships to support students.”

For more information on the concert series, visit RLStalent.com. The series is anticipated to return in 2021. Donations may be designated to RLS Productions Scholarships through the WVC Foundation at wvc.edu/Give.

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Three goals drive RLS Productions’ Concerts in the Gardens: First, increase mid-week tourism outside a 50-mile radius of Wenatchee Valley and its bedroom communities. Second, develop the series into a regional concert series held at Ohme Gardens, resulting in increased tourism. Third, build a $75,000 scholarship endowment for the Wenatchee Valley College Foundation through an annual contribution of 25 percent of the net ticket sales, while at the same time generating immediate annual financial assistance for students in need. Information on the 2020 RLS Productions’ Concert in the Gardens summer series are available at RLStalent.com.

The WVC Foundation was incorporated in 1971. It exists to build relationships between the community and the college and raise financial support for Wenatchee Valley College students, programs, faculty and staff, as well as special projects such as building campaigns like the Music and Art Center. For information on how to make a gift to the foundation, establish a scholarship or include the WVC Foundation in your estate plans, contact (509) 682-6410. Visit the WVC Foundation website at http://www.wvc.edu/foundation.

Wenatchee Valley College is committed to a policy of equal opportunity in employment and student enrollment. All programs are free from discrimination and harassment against any person because of race, creed, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a service animal by a person with a disability, age, parental status or families with children, marital status, religion, genetic information, honorably discharged veteran or military status or any other prohibited basis per RCW 49.60.030, 040 and other federal and state laws and regulations, or participation in the complaint process. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies and Title IX compliance for both the Wenatchee and Omak campuses:

• To report discrimination or harassment: Title IX Coordinator, Wenatchi Hall 2322M, (509) 682-6445, title9@wvc.edu.
• To request disability accommodations: Director of Student Access, Wenatchi Hall 2133, (509) 682-6854, TTY/TTD: dial 711, sas@wvc.edu.