A late-afternoon reception June 12 with wine and savories will raise money for the Carquinez Village Project, and give Benicians a chance to learn more about the “virtual village” designed to help aging residents stay in their homes.

The event will include a silent auction.

Members of the Carquinez Village Steering Committee and other volunteers who are working on the project will be available to talk about the efforts they are making to assure that the types of services older residents need are available locally.

The site of the reception is a historic Benicia home, Judie Donaldson, one of two Carquinez Village steering committee cochairpersons, said. The location will be disclosed to those who purchase tickets to the event.

In addition to seeing the home Donaldson described as “an important contributor” to the city’s history, “As a bonus, you’ll learn more about what we’re doing to support older adults in Benicia, Vallejo and adjacent areas of the county as we determine the viability of a formal Village,” she said.

The Village Project concept started about 15 years ago to promote the concept of meeting the needs of an aging population so they can remain in their communities and “age in place.”

“Currently, there are 150 nonprofit villages in the country, and another 140 villages are, like the Carquinez Village Project, in process,” Donaldson said.

Lois Requist is the other steering committee cochairperson.

Named so it can include other Western Solano County communities in addition to Benicia, the Carquinez Village Project has formed its steering committee and is researching what services already are offered here, as well as those that may be needed.

Even though such virtual villages become nonprofit organizations, money is still required to put them in place, Donaldson said, which is why organizers have planned this first fundraiser for the Carquinez Village.

The Wine and Lite Bites and silent auction will take place June 12 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Reservations are needed and can be made by calling 707-771-1217.

Tickets are $20 for individuals and $35 for couples, payable at the door; proceeds will help the Carquinez Village Project become a nonprofit charitable organization.

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