Just a few short years after being formed, the Suffolk Business Women group has established itself as a true force for good in the community.

The organization has funded a variety of nonprofit organizations and efforts in Suffolk during the past few years, and it is set to do so again this year with the money it raises in the third annual Suffolk Wine Festival, set for April 22 on the grounds of the former Tidewater Community College campus in North Suffolk.

This year, the wine festival will benefit the Suffolk Education Foundation, ForKids, the Children’s Center, the Coalition Against Poverty in Suffolk, the Suffolk Ruritan Club and the Suffolk Business Women scholarship fund.

Last year’s recipients of the SBW’s largesse included the Cheer Fund, Edmarc Hospice for Children, Project Lifesaver, Boys and Girls Clubs, Genieve Shelter, Habitat for Humanity, the Suffolk Business Women scholarship fund, the Suffolk Ruritan Club and the Suffolk Elks Lodge.

The Cheer Fund, which this newspaper administers each year, collects the money that is used to buy toys for the Suffolk Toys for Tots efforts. Last year’s donation from the Suffolk Business Women was one of the largest of the season and helped put the Cheer Fund over its goal for the first time in memory.

We are pleased with the organization’s choices for support this year. Each of the intended recipients does excellent work in the community, and each will make good use of the money received.

But the donations depend on support from the community for this fundraiser. And this is an easy fundraiser for most folks to support, as the cost of a ticket — $35 in advance, $40 at the gate and $55 with the purchase of a growler to go — includes wine and craft beer samplings from a dozen Virginia wineries and six Virginia breweries.

There will also be retail and food vendors on site, along with entertainment.

Tickets are available online or at the following businesses: River Stone Chophouse, Mason’s Smokehouse and Grill, Uncork’d, Farmers Bank, Gwaltney Dental, the Suffolk Visitor Center or Xenith Bank.

For more information, including a list of participating wineries and breweries, visit www.suffolkwinefest.com.