What do you give someone who has just about everything? Volunteer Houston suggests a donation to "A Visit From Saint Nicholas." The nonprofit plans to fill backpacks with toys and books and deliver them, along with holiday cheer, to 7,000 underprivileged children.

At the organization's first social fundraiser, "Taste-ful Off the Vine," a fashionably-dressed crowd filled Américas River Oaks Thursday night, contributing $58,000 towards the holiday project. Executive director Carrie Moffitt was thrilled with the outcome.

Bravo to the backers, including Kim and Mike Gustafson of ConocoPhillips who said he was impressed by Volunteer Houston's business-to-business strategy of helping community service organizations thrive. Also on hand, renowned defense attorney Rusty HardinandInsperity president Richard Rawson and wife Dawn, who pored over silent auction items consisting of artsy getaways, sports packages and wine baskets.

Working with tasting notes from six South African selections courtesy of Branwar Wine, chef/restaurateur David Cordúa prepared a menu that included Asian pear goat cheese brûlée and beef tenderloin crostini with fondue and crispy leeks that matched the bouquet of a 2009 Stellenbosch Hills Chenin Blanc and a 2009 Beyerskloof Pinotage.

The evening spilled onto the covered veranda for desserts al fresco and a blind tasting challenge.

Toasting Volunteer Houston were Cynthia Gualy, Stefanie and Paul Byrne, Susan and Joe Frisard, Michelle Reeves, Lisa Brightman, Erin Tudor, Kim Miller, Anamae Saavedra, Kimberly Rawson, Bob McBee, Diana Woodman, Bret Hammett, Jennifer and Willie Miles, Kim Padgett, Dan D'Armond, Miya Shay, Gene Wu, Heather Pray and Nick Espinosa and Carlos Meltzer.