On March 12, the Shepherdstown Day Care Center will host its annual wine auction at the Bavarian Inn.

In its fourth year, the wine auction has just been one of the center’s many fundraisers that not only maintains the building and betters the SDC’s programs, but it also helps supplement the center’s sliding scale tuition system.

“Our program is so important particularly to children of parents who are less fortunate,” said Patty Martineau, vice president of the center’s Board of Directors. “It is our mission to serve the undeserved.”

The sliding scale is based on a family’s income level, and SDC Director Melissa Holman said many of their clients are low-income and receive assistance through a state program called “Mountain Heart.” According to SDC numbers, 40 percent of children at the center receive help through that program.

So SDC staff and board members are optimistic that this year’s wine auction will help the nonprofit day care raise the funds it needs.

“Not that it hasn’t been successful fabulous in the past, but it’s going to be fabulous this year,” Holman said.

Items that will be auctioned off include a 2009 magnum bottle of Chateau de Saint Cosme Cotes du Rhone, which received a 90 from Wine Spectator; tickets from the Maryland Symphony Orchestra; a bottle of a 2000 Ferreira Vintage Port; an original necklace designed by Bradley Sanders; a lot of Australian wines; a night at the Charles Town Races; a trip to Wisp in Deep Creek, Md.; a 1970 Graham’s Vintage Port, which received a 94 from Wine Spectator; a trip to St. Lucia and various other wines and items. All auction lots were donated.

Tickets are $30 and still available. They can be purchased at the door or by calling 304-876-2551. Scotch and wine tastings along with live music begins at 6:30 p.m. The auction will start at 8 p.m.

“We’re so lucky that we live in a really giving community,” Martineau said. “We have this wonderful outpouring of support.”

For more information, visit www.sdcwineauction.org or contact David Asam at David@BavarianInnWV.com.