Media Contact:
Rachel Evey, WVC Foundation executive director, 509-682-6415
Robert Sandidge, RLS Productions, LLC 509-669-6872

The Wenatchee Valley College Foundation received $11,000 in contributions raised during the 2019 season of the RLS Productions’ Concerts in the Gardens. Founded by Robert and Catherine (Rio) Sandidge, the RLS Productions’ Concerts in the Gardens is a five-week summer concert series held annually through July and early August at Ohme Gardens in Wenatchee, Wash.

Over the past six years, $58,000 has been raised to provide scholarships and establish an endowment for students at WVC. RLS Productions began raising funds through the summer concert series to establish an endowment to provide scholarships in perpetuity. Funding has come from direct contributions and ticket sales.

“Rio and I would like to extend our sincere thanks to all our sponsors, supporters, volunteers, our RLS crew, the musicians, and the new Ohme Gardens’ leadership, all of whom made it possible for us to produce our ‘RLS Productions’ Concerts in the Gardens’ summer series,” Robert Sandidge said. “The 2020 series promises to continue with a stellar concert line up intended to benefit students at WVC and continuing in our 7th season helping market Ohme Gardens and Wenatchee Valley’s mid-week tourism efforts.”

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

Horan Estates Winery has also funded scholarships through direct donations to the RLS Production’s Concerts in the Gardens WVC Foundation account.

“Dennis and I are so honored and blessed to be a part of the concert series. We are ecstatic with how many students lives we help change at WVC,” said Beth Dobbs, co-owner of Horan Estates Winery. “Helping to provide these opportunities is truly a passion for us. We are beyond thrilled to give back to our community. We are pleased to share our passion for philanthropy and deep interest in our love of music and continue to support our community. These annual scholarships that arise from RLS Productions’ Concerts in the Gardens series make this contribution a natural fit.”

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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 $43,000 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. Learn more 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 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: Student Access Director, Wenatchi Hall 2133, (509) 682-6854, TTY/TTD: dial 711, sas@wvc.edu.