TBCF Plans In-Person Picnic

With fingers crossed that California will “reopen” on June 15, the team at Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation (TBCF) is planning their first in-person event in over a year. Like all local nonprofits in 2020, TBCF cancelled numerous fundraising events, held a virtual event, and pivoted at every turn, all while providing more support than ever before in their 19-year history.

Saturday, June 26, TBCF will host the Teddy Bear Picnic, a beautiful outdoor picnic lunch on the upper lawn of the newly reopened Montecito Club. Tickets are $200 for two guests, and each couple will receive their own picnic blanket and parasol and be encouraged to spread out their blankets to enjoy their lunch that will include paninis, salads, wine, snacks, and dessert. Activities will include croquet, bocce, corn hole, horseshoes, balloon artists, and music, as well as access to Montecito Club’s sledding hill, pickleball, basketball, and volleyball courts. 

Co-chairing the Teddy Bear Picnic is Maria Wilson and Sofie Langhorne, both of whom are event sponsors and sit on the nonprofit’s board of directors. Ginni Dreier will serve as honorary chair. The event committee includes Matt Fish, Jamie Hansen, Sheela Hunt, Maria Long, Debbie Neer, and Tara Zanecki. Additional event sponsors include Mad Fitness, Drs. Jon and Karen Tammela, and sponsors who wish to remain anonymous. 

“We’re absolutely thrilled to be able to host a safe in-person event again,” said Wilson. “We’ve really missed this. Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation supporters have been wonderful this past year and we can’t wait to thank them in person.”  

In 2020, TBCF reduced their operating budget in response to the pandemic; however, the need for services significantly increased.

“Our supporters and donors really came through for our families last year with gift cards, grocery cards, deliveries, financial support, and increased volunteerism. It was really inspiring,” said Langhorne.

Despite its reduced budget, TBCF was able to continue to serve every family that requested support.

TBCF’s mission is to advocate for families living in the tri-counties who have a child with cancer by providing financial, emotional, and educational support. Since 2002, TBCF has provided more than $2 million to families through direct financial aid. The beloved nonprofit also provides emotional support groups for parents, children, and teens in both English and Spanish. Their educational program assists children who are re-entering the school system by offering post-chemo tutoring and neuropsychological assessments.  

For more information about all of the services offered by TBCF, please visit  www.TeddyBearCancerFoundation.org. A limited number of tickets to the picnic will be sold in order to ensure safe social distancing, and this event is expected to sell out quickly. Tickets are available at www.TeddyBearCancerFoundation.org/Events.