Merrick wine bar helps save lives

St. Jude's Children's Hospital fundraiser to take place April 13

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The Vine Wine Bar, in Merrick, has commemorated Judy’ Mione's life by holding a fundraiser every April and participating in the St. Jude “Give Thanks. Give Hope. campaign,” in which it collects donations throughout the same month. This year's will take place on April 13 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. 

In the midst of a 10-year battle with breast cancer, Judy Mione told her daughter, Lynn Mione, that she didn’t want flowers at her funeral. Instead, she wanted her friends and family to donate to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

Judy died in April 2011 at the age of 71. Although she had no direct connection to the non-profit research hospital devoted to treating children with cancer, “she couldn’t imagine that children would have to go through [such an illness] because as an adult she was struggling so much,” Lynn said. “Cancer has a way of making people feel like they’re not a whole person.”

Lynn’s business, The Vine Wine Bar, has commemorated Judy’s life by holding a fundraiser every April and participating in the St. Jude “Give Thanks. Give Hope. campaign,” in which it collects donations throughout the same month. The Vine Wine Bar will holds its sixth fundraiser on April 13 from 6 to 8 p.m. The event will include hors d’oeuvres and wine, a wine and chocolate pairing and appearances from a St. Jude representative and former patient who will share his or her story.

“You always see these commercials with sick children and it’s heartbreaking,” Lynn said. “But you never here how they’re doing. You never hear if they’ve gotten better.”

In 2015, Michael Swart greeted guests at Lynn’s fundraiser as a graduate student at Teachers College, Columbia University in Manhattan. He had undergone treatment at St. Jude for acute lymphoblastic leukemia less than 20 years before. That was the first year Lynn began inviting former St. Jude patients to her fundraiser in an effort to show that, when treated, children battling cancer could recover, grow up and pursue their goals.

Lynn opened The Vine Wine Bar in May 2010 with her mother’s encouragement. Judy had been living in North Bellmore throughout the duration of her treatment and knew her daughter had plans to open the business. Judy liked wine, “but she loved people,” Lynn said. “Engaging with people and watching people and participating.” Lynn said that the social environment she experienced within her wine bar had charmed her more than the wine itself. When her mother died, Lynn knew she could use that aspect of her business to honor her mother’s memory and spread awareness for St. Jude.

“New people are learning about the hospital and that, to me, is the best part,” Lynn said. Admission to the event is $75 per person. Chocolate will be provided, courtesy of Lazar’s Chocolates, and wine will be provided, courtesy of multiple vendors of The Vine Wine Bar.