Wenatchee Valley College Foundation Board President Michelle Green and Executive Director Stacey Lockhart proudly accepted two $2,000 gifts for scholarships this week generated by RLS Productions’ Concerts in the Gardens™, a five-week long concert series held throughout July and early August.

This is the second year that Robert and Catherine (Rio) Sandidge, founders and owners of the concert series, have presented the WVC Foundation with a contribution in support of WVC students. This year, the WVC Foundation was overjoyed by the additional matching support from Dennis and Beth Dobbs, owners of Horan Estates Winery in Cashmere, Wash.

Robert Sandidge said, “As a graduate of Wenatchee Valley College, Rio and I both are especially connected to our community college and its programs. We see the need that students have first-hand and are pleased to be able to give back to support students of the educational institution that is so close to our hearts and in our backyard.” Sandidge serves on the WVC Foundation Board of Directors and is active with the WVC Alumni Association.

“An education is an amazing gift,” the Dobbs said. “The WVC Foundation is an asset in our community. We want those opportunities to continue to be available. Our love of music, continued support of our community and the annual scholarships that arise from RLS Productions’ Concerts in the Gardens™  series made this contribution a natural fit.”

Bre Hinkle is one of the students to benefit from scholarship funding from the first season of the RLS Concerts in the Gardens, and had an opportunity to work on promotional materials for the concert season as a WVC Graphic Design student in 2014-15.”Receiving the 2014 scholarship made me want to give back and participate in making these scholarships continue to grow, to give more students the boost they need to continue their education and keep following their dreams,” Hinkle said.

Hinkle is now employed in the marketing department at the Town Toyota Center and continues her involvement in the concerts as a volunteer and WVC alumna.

Michelle Green, WVC Foundation President said, “The WVC Foundation can’t thank all of the supporters and sponsors of the RLS Productions’ RLS Productions’ Concerts in the Gardens™ enough—words can’t express how much their support means to us and we thank everyone who is involved, as a sponsor, a concert ticket holder or a musician who has performed. We can’t wait for 2016!” Green is an attorney and partner of the law firm Jeffers, Danielson, Sonn & Aylward in Wenatchee and a graduate of Cashmere High School.

National artists dominated the 2015 concerts lineup. Robert and Rio Sandidge, with the support of their sponsors and others, established RLS Productions’ Concerts in the Gardens™ in 2014.

2015 Gold Community Leaders & Friends of the Series

560 KPQ • The Quake 102.1 • Prather Design • Cary Condotta • Dave & Linda Herald • Kevin Andres • Tastebuds • Horan Estates Winery • Town Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge/Ram • LocalTel • Weinstein Beverage Co Pepsi-Cola of Wenatchee • Star Rentals of Wenatchee • Rob & Stefani Johnson • Friends Peonies • Superchief® Red Delicious • GoLakeChelan • Entiat Valley Computer & Media • Wenatchee Valley College Foundation • Lee & Sara Lippert • Ed & Allison Womack • Munchen Haus • Molina Healthcare • Rick Seim • True Tone Audio • Jane Bousman • Steve & Cindy Johnston • Tim McCord Photography Confluence Health • Gold Gym