Winemakers Dinners Bring Charity To The Virgin Islands

Over the years, working in both the British Virgin Islands and in the United States, I have volunteered thousands of hours to various charitable causes and nonprofit organizations - and have seen firsthand the impact we can make on each other's lives by giving back to our communities. As such, I am thrilled to sign on as a contributor to the newly launched Impact section on the Huffington Post. This site will provide the opportunity to talk about issues - both on a domestic and international scale - that are impacting our communities.

I'd like to talk about a current project that I'm working on to give back to my community: The British Virgin Islands. Sir Richard Branson, Francis Ford Coppola, top chefs and winemakers from around the world will donate their time and money to local charities by participating in the 2009 Virgin Islands Winemakers Dinners.

When Sir Richard Branson opened Necker Island, his private island in the British Virgin Islands, to kickoff the 2009 Virgin Islands Winemakers Dinners, he was the first of many people who contributed their time, talent and treasure to benefit local charities, including the BVI Red Cross, St. Mary's School, Virgin Gorda and St. George's School.

You can read more about each of the local charities here, which I encourage you to do.