At the end of a long day, does anything sound better than a glass of wine? Maybe a glass of wine and a good book, or a glass of wine and good friends, or a glass of wine and good food? What about a glass of wine and good music?

The Greene County Public Library Foundation has thought of everything.

Formerly known as Books and Beer, the Foundation's annual fundraiser is back this year, but reimagined as Books and Wine. The event will be held at Caesar Creek Vineyards (962 Long Rd., Xenia) on Monday, Oct. 1, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Admission is $25 in advance, or $30 at the door, for guests 21 and older. Your ticket includes a glass of wine, pizza and salad from Bella Sorella, and live music from local artist, Reyna Spears. Guests will be able to tour the vineyard during the event, as well.

Books and Wine marries a relaxing evening of local wine, food, music and friends, while supporting literacy by raising funds for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. This program puts books in the hands of local children early in their lives, when it matters most, by providing participants with one book per month every year until they reach age five.

“The Greene County Public Library adopted the Dolly Parton Imagination Library several years ago because pre-literacy skills are so important,” said Christie Cox, community engagement officer for Greene County Public Library. “Kindergarten literacy skills were low in our county. We were introduced to this program, and we thought it was a good match.”

The community has been very supportive of the Books and Wine event, Cox said, with between 200 to 300 people attending annually, raising over $10,000.

“We are doing one of the best things we can do for children,” said Diane Phillips, who is a retired teacher, mother of four, grandmother of 12, and a board member for the Greene County Public Library Foundation. “I realized a long time ago that reading is the best thing you can do for your child. The sooner you start, the better. Just holding them and reading to them makes that connection.”

Community partnerships make it possible, so that all ticket proceeds from Books and Wine are used to support the Dolly Parton's Imagination Library program. Each $25 ticket can sponsor one child for a full year, which includes the postage costs of mailing books to the child's home each month.

“It’s just a warm, cuddly, good-feeling kind of event,” Phillips said. “You know you’re doing good things for children, you’re having a fun time doing it, and you know your money is going to a good place.”

For $125, guests can enjoy the event and support a child’s enrollment for all five years of the program, making sure children of all income levels have access to high-quality, age-appropriate books. To date in Greene County, the program has more than 5000 children enrolled, has mailed 224,364 books, and has more than 4000 program graduates.

“Our Greene County library is absolutely wonderful,” said Phillips. “We have so much stuff going on and so much energy. We circulate so many books and have events. This event is right up there with all the great things the library does.”

WANT TO GO?

WHAT: Books and Wine, sponsored by Greene County Library Foundation

WHERE: Caesar Creek Vineyards, 962 Long Rd., Xenia

WHEN: Monday, Oct. 1, 5:30-8:30 p.m.

COST: Advance tickets are $25 or $125 online | $30 at the door (ages 21 and over)

MORE INFORMATION: Visit booksandbeer.org