25th Annual Festival of Hearts Fundraiser
The Friendship Center (FC) of Montecito celebrated the silver anniversary of its beloved “Festival of Hearts” fundraiser on Saturday, February 3, at the Rosewood Miramar Beach Montecito ballroom and outdoor patio. Nods to the event co-chairs FC Board member Kathy Marden andFC Board VP Sue Adams, with their committee Nathan Bero, Marianne M. Cherkas, Erica Fichter, Pat Forgey, Greta Liedke, Shianne Motter,and Monica Vidger-Trent.
The event was at capacity with guests a-buzzing around the auction item tables holding heart-themed art works by local artists, along with merch experiences like the Santa Barbara Golf Club, Evolutions Med Spa, and a luxe stay at the Rosewood Miramar Beach Montecito.
Seen at the event were Marti and Gil Garcia, Zaria Ortiz, Jeanne West, David Mares, Lynn Whitaker, Martha Gebhardt, Maria Porter, Pamela Dillman Haskell and Chris Haskell,the former Executive Director of the FC Heidi Holly, Leigh Cashman, Montecito Compass Realtor Stephanie Petlow with her sister and Board President of the Goleta Valley Historical Society Paula M. Botiani, Easter Moorman, and SB City Councilperson Oscar Gutierrez with girlfriendDJ Darla Bee.
Guest emcee, David Moorman started off the program by acknowledging the work of the Friendship Center. “Thank you for coming today to support the benefits it provides the aging members of our community. As a proud Navy veteran myself, I wish to acknowledge all the military veterans present in attendance. Know that your donations go to the Friendship Center’s programming for all, as no one is turned away.”
Next, FC Board President Dr. Cynder Sinclair – fresh in from a week skiing – welcomed the guests saying. “Thank you all for coming and supporting the Friendship Center’s commitment to providing dignified care for those in need. Let’s acknowledge our supporters of the Friendship Center, its caregivers, volunteers, donors, and partners. Thanks to the ‘First Mate Sponsors’: CenCal Heath, William and Jocelyne Meeker,and Katina Zaninovich; and the Captains of Carez: Thomas and Nancy Crawford,and Sintija Kemezys Felder.”
Cynder Sinclair was followed by FC Executive Director Kathryn Westland, who said, “I love the Friendship Center, the community at large. Those who do not have a place to go can come to the Friendship Center. Thank you for being here and enjoying our work.”
Westland introduced guest speaker and caregiver Shianne Motter, who works at SB Travel and attended Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School in Montecito. She shared her experience of having been, at age 24, the primary caregiver for her father with dementia, and how FC helped not only her father but also herself. She said, “We are all saying there is no place like the Friendship Center, which is why there should be more of them.”
After Motter, a video interview was shown with Sir Robert Antonini, a 97-year young member of the Friendship Center with Sinclair. He is a WWII veteran and has no local family members. He said, “I just like to go to Friendship Center to be with people, it is a great outlet for people my age. To go where people appreciate you. There are lots of activities that keep you young. I like bingo because you have to search for the numbers, and there is dancing, classes on different things, singing and bike rides. Thank God it’s there.”
From there Moorman led the live auction and the ask, raising approximately $20k. If you missed the event and wish to donate, check the 411.
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