By Allison Peck | North Platte Post
Listen to the full interview with Courtney Long and Brandi Jamerman on our Kubota Podcast
North Platte, Neb. - One of North Platte’s most anticipated annual fundraisers is returning just ahead of Valentine’s Day. The North Platte Business and Professional Women’s Club (BPW) will host its Wine & Brews event on Friday, February 13, raising funds for scholarships and programs that support women in the community.
Courtney Long, president of the North Platte BPW, described the organization as a place where women can both network and find support. “We support women in business, we support women who are starting businesses, who are looking for encouragement and maybe even some financial support,” Long said. “We also supply scholarships to young women in the community who are searching for opportunities and growing in the business world as well.”
The club meets monthly on the third Thursday at noon at the Prairie Arts Center and welcomes women from a wide range of professional backgrounds. Long said BPW provides opportunities for women to connect, share ideas, and build both personal and professional relationships. “It’s such a great opportunity for professional women to get together and get to know each other but also support each other in their professional lives,” she added.
Wine & Brews serves as BPW’s largest fundraiser of the year. Proceeds support Mid-Plains Community College scholarships, a new high school scholarship launching this year, and the organization’s Women Supporting Women Fund, which assists newer entrepreneurs and women starting businesses.
The event features tastings from local wineries and breweries, non-alcoholic mocktails from Uninebriated of Kearney, and a large charcuterie spread from Boardology of Hastings. Brandi Jamerman, BPW media coordinator, said the fundraiser is also a way to highlight local businesses. “Wine and Brew is one of the biggest silent auction items in the region,” she said. “We typically have about 75 to almost 100 different donors in the community that have given us items to showcase their business. My main goal is to give them some recognition and say thank you.”
Jamerman said the evening is designed to be social and relaxed. “They’ll walk in, get signed in, get your bidder number, and then you are free to roam,” she said. “Grab yourself your first drink, go check out the silent auction items, and just go from there.”
This year, the event moves to a new venue, The Farmhouse, at 3102 East 8 Farm Road. Long said she is excited for the change of scenery. “It’s gorgeous. We are so excited to be at that new location,” she said. VIP tables will also be available for attendees who want a more private experience, complete with a personal charcuterie board.
Long said attending Wine & Brews is a highlight for many BPW members. “It’s probably one of the biggest events that I mark on my calendar and look forward to every year,” she said. “It’s so much fun to be with all the vendors, get to know them, and see what they have to offer. But it also helps grow those friendships.”
Tickets are available online at northplattebpw.com/events, with individual tickets at $30, couples for $55, and VIP tables for $350. More information about BPW and Wine & Brews can also be found on Facebook.