Zinkievich family keeps raising money for Knights/Kaderli

Photos by Tom Rivers – Gerry Zinkievich is pictured with a plate of quiche during tonight’s wine-tasting event to benefit the Knights/Kaderli Memorial Fund. The kitchen was busy during the 10th annual event.

RIDGEWAY – For 10 years Gerry Zinkievich has summoned an army of cooks, bakers, wineries and donations to raise money for Orleans County residents battling cancer.

Zinkievich and her family are dedicated to an event that raises about $6,000 every year for the Knights/Kaderli Memorial Fund, which assists local residents who are fighting cancer. The fund helps pay emergency expenses and some other bills.

Zinkievich, the retired Shelby town clerk, has seen how the fund can lessen the burdens for a family fighting cancer. Her late husband Jim fought the disease until his death about 12 years ago.

“They’re like the angels that walk among us,” Zinkievich said about the volunteers at Knights/Kaderli. “You just want to give back because they really helped my husband out.”

Her brother-in-law David also died from cancer. His wife Sue Zinkievich is another driving force for the wine-tasting event.

Melinda Vizcarra of Vizcarra Vineyards in Gasport served wine during the event at the Ridgeway Fire Hall. Five wineries were at the event offering wine tastings.

Five wineries offered wine tastings to the 250 people who attended the event. There was also lots of food and baked goods.

Volunteers also collected 102 gift baskets that were raffled off.

A DJ played music and the Hot Country Liners performed several dances for the crowd.

“We try to make it fun,” Zinkievich said. “I just want people to have a good time.”

Jim Owen of Akron is part of Hot Country Liners that performed tonight as part of a fund-raiser for the Knights/Kaderli Memorial Fund.