Providing a Way for Those Who Demonstrate the Will

The Harmony Foundation for Children exists to break down the barriers between need and assistance by providing direct financial support to at-risk or in-need youth whose record of personal responsibility, dedication and achievement is imperiled by circumstances or events beyond their control. In particular, the Harmony Foundation for Children works to enhance philanthropy and strengthen our sense of community by providing help to those underprivileged children whose own families cannot.

Giving Back to the Community

Support of the Save Myles Organization and the Savannah Hill Music Scholarship Fund are two examples of the long-term support the Harmony Foundation provides to very worthy causes for children.

Most recently, the HFFC has begun an ongoing program in conjunction with the Sonoma Unified School District. Each month a different school will be chosen and their specific need will be funded.



In January, Prestwood Elementary School's first grade classes received a generous donation and were able to participate in the Youth In Arts Program at the Marin Civic Center. The HFFC proudly contributed $850.00 so the students could enjoy this field trip. "I can't think of a more valuable way to utilize HFFC funds. Hopefully, this will give our teachers the opportunity to spend more time teaching and less time soliciting money to provide the basics," said Harmony Foundation Principle and Ledson Winery owner, Steve Ledson. It is a wonderful chance to directly give back to the community.

In May of 2006, the HFFC provided another generous donation to the 5th grade class of the Flowery School in Fetters Hot Springs near Sonoma. $1,500 was given to the class to attend a three day field trip to the Marin Headlands Institute. Pictured right is Steve Ledson with the 5th graders and teachers.

In March of 2007, in association with The Sonoma Valley Film Society, the HFFC contributed $4,000 to the $25,000 donation that was given to the Sonoma Valley Education Foundation for the junior filmmaking program at Sonoma Valley High School. (Read article.)

See the complete list of all the generous donations provided by the Harmony Foundation for Children.



Funding
The Harmony Foundation for Children is funded through a combination of Ledson Family direct donations, individual donations and Ledson Family sponsored fundraising events. The Harmony Foundation for Children provides a vehicle for donors to make tax-advantaged charitable contributions. The Harmony Foundation for Children acknowledges former San Francisco 49er great Dwight Clark and two of the entertainment industry’s most prominent artists, Mr. Michael McDonald and Mr. Jeff Bridges as inaugural benefactors.



Fundraising Event with Michael McDonald

On an incredible sun-drenched harvest afternoon, Saturday, September 21st, 2002 legendary singer and songwriter Michael McDonald thrilled an appreciative audience at a benefit concert at the Ledson Winery & Vineyards. Nearly $10,000 was raised to benefit the Valley of the Moon Children's Home and the Stand-By-Me Mentoring Program in Sonoma. The concert, the first of the annual series, was a celebration of the launch of the presigious "Harmony Collection". The first wine released in the collection was a 1999 Sonoma Valley Estate 'Old Vine' Zinfandel. The label featured a recreation of the picture of the legendary Michael McDonald from his Blue Obsession album. This wine has sold out.

Fundraising Event with Jeff Bridges

Jeff Bridges teamed up with owner Steve Ledson to create the 2000 Ledson Harmony Collection Jeff Bridges ‘Be Here Soon’ Napa Valley Meritage. This extraordinary blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Ledson Estate Merlot was awarded an admirable 91 points from The Wine Spectator in April 2005. On October 29, 2005, Bridges was kind enough to spend the day at the winery signing bottles of his wine and meeting with the public (see pictures from bottle signing). Proceeds benefited the Ledson Harmony Foundation for Children. There are still a few cases of this very special wine left, and it is available for $125 a bottle from Ledson Winery & Vineyards.

Fundraising Event with Dwight Clark

Former San Francisco 49er great Dwight Clark and Steve Ledson teamed up to release the exceptional Harmony Collection 2005 Russian River Pinot Noir, the third Ledson Harmony Collection wine, to commemorate and celebrate the 25th anniversary of ‘The Catch’. The wine is a blend of four different clones from Russian River vineyards. Aged exclusively in French Oak barrels, this lovely Pinot Noir is delicate on the palate with flavors of cherry and plum, silky in texture, it lingers and lingers to a long rich slightly spice finish. You won't be able to stop sipping. This hand-crafted wine received a Gold Medal from the San Diego International Wine Competition. On October 21st, 2006 Dwight Clark spent a day at the winery signing bottles of his wine (see pictures from the bottle signing event). Proceeds from the sale of this wine benefit the Harmony Foundation for Children. We invite you to enjoy this wine and thank you for helping our Harmony Foundation kids "catch" their dreams.

Fundraising at the Ledson Hotel & Harmony Lounge

The Haromony Lounge of the critically acclaimed Ledson Hotel situated on the historic Sonoma Plaza is the ideal place to wrap up a day's sightseeing. Guests relax in the warm and intimate ambiance created by walnut paneling and granite flooring, where they bask in the glow of the huge fireplace, or take in the sunset at a sidewalk table on the heated patio that places them in the midst of the city's most enlivened scene. Guests are invited to enjoy a glass of wine, cocktails and mouth-watering light fare. Or if they prefer, enjoy a wine tasting of hand-crafted award-winning wines with a knowledgable wine consultant. On selected weekends throughout the year Steve Ledson and Sonoma Jazz+ are pleased to present Live at the Ledson Lounge, a Jazz series featuring touring artists, Bay Area favorites and local up and comers. Proceeds from the Jazz Shows and of the Harmony Lounge sales will benefit the HFFC.