Quest, Inc. hosted its 29th annual Wine Quest fundraiser on May 16 and 17 at Caribe Royale in Orlando. The event broke records with over $450,000 raised towards services benefiting children and adults with developmental disabilities.
The money raised goes toward Quest programs such as children’s therapy, employment services, life-skills training, residential options, and summer camps. Florida ranks second to last for funding provided for people with special needs, meaning out of the 400,000 residents in the state who need assistance, only about 7.5 percent receive it, as stated in a press release.
“Every dollar raised during Wine Quest presents a life-changing opportunity for families in Central Florida,” John R. Gill, President and CEO at Quest, said in a press release. “The support from our community means more people with autism and other developmental disabilities can access the resources that help them thrive in all areas of life, whether it’s at home, the workplace or the classroom.”
The fundraiser was held in partnership with Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits with meteorologist Brian Shields hosting the event. Guests took part in silent and live auctions, wine samplings and a multi-course dinner.
The money raised from Wine Quest will also go toward supporting the new Quest Kids Orlando, an education and therapy campus opening in Fall 2025 at 500 E. Colonial Drive. The school will serve people ages 5-22, utilizing Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy in early academics, helping with foundational learning and life or employment readiness.