Teddy Bear Picnic at Montecito Club 

Save the date for the 2nd Annual Teddy Bear Picnic at the Montecito Club, scheduled for Sunday, May 15. Along with all the other nonprofit organizations in the tri-counties, Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation (TBCF) learned how to be flexible in their event planning and fundraising over the past two years. By re-imagining their signature events and moving them outside, TBCF’s newest event, the Teddy Bear Picnic, was born.

Last year’s Picnic was designed as a response to ever-changing protocols around gatherings and events, and TBCF staff and committee organized a family-friendly outdoor picnic with safety, fun, and TBCF’s mission in mind. The Picnic event was such a success that the decision was made to turn the Picnic into one of TBCF’s two annual events.

On Sunday, May 15, TBCF will host the 2nd Annual Teddy Bear Picnic at Montecito Club once again. Tickets are $125 per guest (children are free if registered with an adult by April 30, and $25 each thereafter). Guests will be treated to a buffet lunch with dessert and wine. Activities will include a competitive cornhole tournament, lawn games like bocce, oversized Connect Four and Jenga, sledding hill, kids’ sack races and more. Other activities will include tarot card readings, face painters, and music by Josh Jenkins. 

Co-chairing the Teddy Bear Picnic are Maria Wilson and Sofie Langhorne, both of whom sit on TBCF’s Board of Directors and are event sponsors. “I’m so happy we’re back again at this gorgeous location,” Langhorne said. “We’re planning to make this year’s Picnic bigger and more heartfelt.” 

Event sponsors include Ergomotion, the Stanley Family, Tom and Charmaine Rogers, Johnny Griggs, Charles and Sofie Langhorne, Debby Mann, Drs. Jon and Karen Tammela, Monte and Maria Wilson, Arlington Financial Services, Wells Hugher, Bob Holzer Towing, Tim and Lisa Couch, Phil Hons, Joe McCorkell at Sotheby’s International Realty, J.P.Morgan Private Bank – Sarai Anderson, and Elizabeth and Peter Nordblad. In addition to the generosity of the event’s sponsors, the following dedicated committee members are assisting TBCF with planning and logistics: Sarai Anderson, Andrea Godinez, Jamie Hansen, Harold Karsenty, Lucy Kohansamad, Lado and Mirjana Ladomery, Debby Mann, Andrew and Giana Miller, Debbie Neer, Fe Peres, Susie Perry, Brittany Rice, and Deborah Stanley.

Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation’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. In 2021, TBCF gifted significantly more financial support to families due to a generous holiday donation, allowing them to disperse $250 gas cards and $250 grocery gift cards to families who were in immediate need of support. This support was in addition to the regular funding offered by TBCF. 

The 2021 year included the implementation of two new programs directly benefitting TBCF families. The first rounds of funding from TBCF’s new Bone Marrow Fund were disbursed to five families last year, providing additional relief for families facing the cost of a bone marrow transplant. Also new in 2021 was the expansion of the tutoring program to include siblings. The inclusion of siblings into the Educational Advocacy program was at the request of the families served. 

Since 2002 TBCF has provided well over $2,200,000 to families through direct financial aid. TBCF also provides emotional support groups for parents, children, and teens in both English and Spanish. Their educational advocacy program assists children who are re-entering the school system by offering tutoring for up to $2,000 and neuropsychological assessments. 

For more information about all of the services offered by TBCF, visit TeddyBearCancerFoundation.org. For more information about the Teddy Bear Picnic, contact Kirsten Stuart at (805) 308-9943 or Kirsten@TeddyBearCancerFoundation.org. Last year’s event sold out quickly and this year is expected to sell out once again. Tickets are available at www.TeddyBearCancerFoundation.org/events.