The Santa Rosa 99s Wine Country Chapter hosted its 2nd Annual P-51 Poker Night on October 25, 2024. It was another hugely successful event, 120 attendees and selling more than 172 tickets with 3 more poker tables than last year. We were so excited to see the aviation community and friends and family alike come out for a night of fun, food, libations, aviation talk, and poker.
We exceeded our fundraising target for 2024 which allows us to continue awarding scholarships for women aviators. Including Angela Clark who won our 2024 $5,000 scholarship. She flew in with her 49 ½ to receive the award. She will use the funds for her CFI (certified flight instructor) rating.
Dominic Cerniglio of Santa Rosa was the winner of the Poker Tournament this year and gets to enjoy a flight in a P-51.
This year again, we had incredible sponsors from aviation, wineries and distilleries, and local businesses. Including Santa Rosa 99s member Julia Hochberg who donated the amazing venue of Sonoma Jet Center Historic Redwood Hangar. More members contributed amazing silent auction items:
- Tara Jasper from her Sipsong Spirits and the tournament winner’s ride in her P-51
- Heidi Barrett of Aviatrix wine from her La Sirena Winery
- Nancy Hayssen for a Virtual Tours map package
- Jeannie Schulz for Charles M. Schulz Museum goodies and tickets
- Val Suberg for the Forever Media Transfer Box
- Kristen Hipp for the custom painted cornhole boards
99s from all over the Bay Area chapters and beyond came to the tournament, we even had a whole table of 99s!
Thank you to our aviation and local communities for your ongoing support, and together, let’s continue to uplift and inspire aspiring aviators.