Taskers lend Winds, Waves & Wines at Aquarium of Niagara a helping hand

by Eric Keppeler
Tribune, Dispatch, Sentinel, September 14, 2006

Steve and Sarah Tasker only wanted to help an institution that has become very near and dear to both of them.

The former Buffalo Bills wide receiver and special teams ace and his wife are the celebrity hosts for Winds, Waves & Wines VII, a fund-raiser for the Aquarium of Niagara. The event will be held from 6 to 9 p.m., on Thursday, Sept. 21, at The Conference Center Ballroom in Niagara Falls.

“There are so many things out there, but I like to be involved with organizations that help our youth,” Steve Tasker said. “The aquarium isn’t about tourism, it’s about education. I think every area needs to have something like it. It’s been going since 1965 and it gets no city or county funding, but I’d like it to be able to continue.”

Winds, Waves & Wines VII will provide a continuous sampling of wines from wineries in Niagara County, the Finger Lakes region and Canada. Hors d’oeuvres and desserts also will be provided, as will live musical entertainment and raffles.

“I’m very excited to be a part of it,” Sarah Tasker said. “We have a house full of kids, and they all love the aquarium – so we’re happy to help any way we can.”

Actually, the aquarium started out as something of a foreign experience for the Taskers. Originally from Kansas, Steve and Sarah were looking for something to do with their children – Deacon, 19; Annelise, 17; Lucas, 15; Tap, 12; and Jake, 8 – when they discovered the aquarium.

“A number of years ago, we had some coupons for the aquarium,” Sarah Tasker said. “Steve and I grew up in Kansas, which is about as far away from the ocean as you can get. So everything we knew about the ocean we learned in school – it was an entirely new experience for us. We found it fascinating.”

Drafted out of Northwestern University in the ninth round of the 1985 draft, Tasker was selected to seven Pro Bowls. He played for the Houston Oilers in 1985 and for the Bills from 1986 to 1997. In 13 seasons, Tasker accumulated 779 receiving yards and scored nine touchdowns – but it was his play on special teams that set him apart as he earned a reputation as a hard but clean hitter.

Winds, Waves & Wines VII is one of six fund-raisers to benefit the aquarium – but it was the only one that Steve could make, especially with his busy schedule in the fall, when he is a football analyst for CBS.

He figures that if his presence will help draw people to the event, then he’s happy to help out.

“I really enjoy doing things like this,” he said. “They’re wonderful people and the place has so much to offer. It helps to make the region unique – really unlike any other on the planet. Niagara isn’t just the falls – there are plenty of other activities that make it a great place to spend time.”

Sponsorship levels include grand ($5,500), premier ($2,000) and village ($1,000).

For more information, call the Aquarium of Niagara at 285-3575.