Welcome

Grapes for Humanity, U.S., Inc. began with a love for wine and a desire to transform our passion for wine into humanitarian action.

The concept for Grapes for Humanity, U.S., Inc. was conceived by Arlene Willis, whose brother, Louis Cofrancesco, was killed in Viet Nam in 1968 when he picked up a landmine.

Thanks to the enormous generosity of the international wine community, Grapes for Humanity, U.S., Inc. has been able to provide much needed relief to those injured by landmines, and other disabled men, woman and children around the world.

We raise money by putting on wine tastings, wine dinners, wine auctions and other wine-related activities and direct the proceeds of these events to specially selected projects that have been researched, and in most cases visited by the directors.    Most of the projects have been suggested by Jim Lawrence, Director, Partnership Programs, Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement for The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs.  We have traveled the world in order to bring confort and hope to those in need and have shown what can be achieved when concerned people take action.

Many of the world’s most prestigious wine producers have donated their most cherished bottles of wine for our events and many have traveled thousands of miles to be with Grapes for Humanity U.S.  friends and supporters as we taste their magnificent wines.

We could not do what we do, and be as successful as we have been, without the help and support of the wine producers who donate the wine, our Board of Directors and Honorary Directors, our friends and supporters who give us wine from their private cellars for our auctions, the sponsors and people who attend our dinners and last but not least the volunteers who work tirelessly to make our events so special.

Thank you and I hope you enjoy visiting our site.

Arlene Willis