RIDGWAY, Sept. 25, 6:54 a.m. – The Board of Directors of Top of the Pines, Inc. will hold an elegant evening of wine tasting, chef sampling and local live music, accompanied by a live and silent auction, as part of its annual fundraising efforts next month.

The third annual fundraiser, dubbed “Savor the San Juans,” will be held Friday, Oct. 5 in the Kiva at the Chipeta Sun Lodge in Ridgway from 6-9 p.m.

The event has a special significance this year for the nonprofit organization, as its goal is to raise $200,000. Top of the Pines recently secured a Great Outdoors Colorado Trust Fund grant for refurbishment of the buildings and infrastructure of the former Girl Scout Camp southwest of Ridgway on County Road 5 atop Miller Mesa, which began earlier in the summer. The water supply has been restored, as well as renovations made to the main pavilion, roads, paths, and parking.

“The generous support of a number of local professions in the building industry has helped us to leverage our limited funds,” wrote the board of directors in a press release.

“We must now match funds for our GOCO grant and support necessary building and operational needs.”

The goal of the Top of the Pines has been to return the property to a working mountain retreat that will provide a much-needed public educational and rustic camping facility.

“Outdoor educational experiences significantly enrich the lives of young people, and our region has no established facility for such efforts,” the press release read. “In addition, this facility will provide anything from weddings to corporate and artist retreats. Limited use is already underway; however, full restoration of the camp will maximize community opportunities.”

Those who aren’t able to attend the October event are encouraged to contribute through donations of goods or services for the silent auction, or volunteer time and/or services prior to the event. Cash donations, which are tax-deductible, are welcomed.

“Top of the Pines is a wilderness commons owned by the people of Ouray County [and] assures public access to an area that is quickly becoming exclusively private property,” the press release read.

For more information, contact Alice Billings at 970/626-9788.