LOUDONVILLE, NY – The return of the Capital Region's premiere food and wine celebration proved to be a rousing success. The 21^st installment of Siena College's Festa Vino held on Oct. 12 at the Callanan Field House in the Marcelle Athletic Complex raised a new record $116,107. Half of those net proceeds directly benefit the Saints Alive! Athletic Fund, which directly supports more than 350 student athletes, with the other half benefiting other special needs of the College.
 
"It was great to welcome back Festa Vino this year, and we are truly thankful to all the vendors and supporters who helped us raise a new record in net proceeds benefiting both the College and our student athletes," said Siena College Vice President and Director of Athletics John D'Argenio. "A lot of hard work went into the return and execution of this event, and I'd like to especially thank Beth Hazelton from our College Development Office and Assistant Athletic Director Heidi Speer for their leadership and helping to make this year's Festa Vino the most successful one yet."
 
The $116,107 in net proceeds raised this year at Festa Vino smashes the previous record of roughly $76,000 raised in 2012 by nearly 35%. Moreover, this year's total marked more than a 40% increase from the approximately $65,000 raised the last time the event had been held back in 2019, prior to the pandemic.
 
The 21^st edition of Festa Vino presented by Siena College, All Star Wine & Spirits, and AVI Foodsystems, Inc., featured an evening of wonderful wine, food, and fellowship as the Callanan Field House was transformed into the Italian countryside. Guests had the opportunity to sample more than 100 wines from around the world and culinary delights from some of the Capital Region's top restaurants. Siena student athletes helped work the event and were present to mingle and interact with supporters.
 
Festa Vino is one of the signature fundraising events for Siena College, with net proceeds benefiting both the Saints Alive! Athletic Fund and other needs of the College as identified by the Vice President for Development and Alumni Engagement. The Saints Alive! Athletic Fund is the primary fundraising arm for the department, which impacts all student athletes, coaches, and their programs, and helps further the mission of "Building Better Saints."