Wine and Chocolate Festival returns to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters

The Summit Federal Credit Union will sponsor the fifth Buffalo Wine and Chocolate Festival on Saturday, Nov. 12, at The Powerhouse, an historical, 22,000-square-foot space nestled in the heart of industrial Buffalo. The festival features numerous regional wine and chocolate vendors, as well as other local businesses. Two sessions of the festival will be offered: an early session from 1-4 p.m., and a later session from 5-8 p.m.

A press release noted, “The Summit-sponsored Wine & Chocolate Festivals in Buffalo and Rochester are highly rated and always anticipated. Each event also raises funds for a local beneficiary. Proceeds from the Buffalo Wine & Chocolate festival will benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Erie, Niagara and the Southern Tier.

“Attendees will be invited to make a cash or mobile donation, 100% of which will go to the organization. There is also an opportunity to donate a new board game, puzzle, card game, craft supply, or restaurant gift card so that local Bigs & Littles can create activities to do together. These donations will be greatly appreciated, especially with the approaching holiday season and during the long winter months.

“Attendees to the Wine & Chocolate Festival will be given one free raffle ticket for each item that they donate, which they can then use to enter for great prizes in The Summit’s booth at the festival.”

Keith Parwulski is director of regional branch services for The Summit Federal Credit Union’s Buffalo region. He said, "A huge part of The Summit's mission and culture is giving back to the communities in which our members live and work. Our Buffalo Wine & Chocolate Festival allows us to provide meaningful support to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Erie, Niagara and the Southern Tier, as well as provide exposure to over 60 local vendors who exhibit at the festival."

Both of The Summit's Buffalo branches will offer an opportunity to win a "Green Pass" for early admission to one of the festival's sessions. Details about the contest, which runs from Oct. 14 to Nov. 4, can be found at www.summitfcu.org. Winners will be announced Nov. 7. The Summit will feature more contests at the festival, as well as signature chocolate-y sweets for festivalgoers to taste.

Tickets to the festival, which are $30 ($15 for designated driver tickets), are on sale at www.wineandchocolatefestivals.com/events/buffalo.

Founded in 1941, The Summit Federal Credit Union is a not-for-profit, member-owned, full-service financial cooperative. For more information, visit summitfcu.org.