Hillside’s 20th Annual Emerald Soirée
Hillside Santa Barbara held its 20th Annual Emerald Soirée on Friday, June 7, at the Santa Barbara Club’s outside garden area. The organization has been helping those community members with special needs for 80 years. The funds raised at the event support the quality of life for the 59 residents at Hillside.
The event started with an open reception featuring silent auction items, and libations. During the reception, a duet by Hillside resident Brad P. and Jusing Mack playing guitars and singing brought everyone onto the patio. Music was also provided by guitarist Sam Adams.
Congressman Salud Carbajal stopped by for a brief moment to present his Congressional Certificate to President & CEO of Hillside Michael S. Rassler, MBA, MSW, MA, and for a few photo ops with his constituents.
Master of Ceremonies David Moorman kept the flow of the event going with announcements during the reception and a call to convene for dinner. He introduced and brought on stage Nancy Read who, with Norris Goss, started the event as a small luncheon in 2004. Moorman then said a secular prayer before dinner was served.
Rassler spoke about Hillside’s work and its importance in the community. He invited everyone to visit Hillside and explore what they are doing and plan to do. He recognized the partnership of the Assistance League who make Hillside their number one beneficiary. Rassler acknowledged his team, the board of directors and volunteers.
The Presentation of the 2024 Person of Purpose Award was by Brad Frohling Board Chair to honoree Pam Flynt Tambo,current Board Secretary. Tambo has served as the Executive Director of Hillside from 2001 to 2012. She is the Vice President of the Board of the League of Women’s Voters of Santa Barbara. Tambo spoke about her work for Hillside and her determination to get their new housing project funded and approved.
The Advancing Abilities Award was presented to Hillside nursing assistant Maria Luisa Bracamontes by Rosemary Rice,Hillside Administrator. Rice talked about the dedicated care that Bracamontes has given for 34 years at Hillside. She started her employment there working in housekeeping. They asked Bracamontes if she was interested in being a nursing assistant, and put her through the education program to do so. Rice said she is an important caregiver and one whose visits the residents look forward to every day. Bracamontes accepted the award with tears of gratitude and humbleness, sharing her love for the work she does.
Guest speaker Mike Schlappi, a Hall of Fame athlete, Gold Medalist, MBA, author, and Certified Speaking Professional shared his life story and his choice to stand out. His inspirational work and his attitude towards life moved all the attendees. His talk was focused on overcoming whatever limitations a person has and moving on to stand out by his example.
The live auction and ask directed by Moorman raised approximately $32,500.
Lead Sponsors were the SYV Band of Chumash Indians Foundation, Demboski & Chapman Financial & Insurance Services, Montecito Bank & Trust, IOA Insurance Solutions Inc., Alpha Resource Center, Russ and Nancy Werner, Mullen & Henzell LLP, and Erik and Cynthia Krueger.
Attendees included the Hillside Event Committee Members Norris Goss, Jan Kopf, Erin Kelley, Pamela Gilbert, Alma Janabajab, Lisa Wilcox, and Lee Troesch. Working with them on the event were Chief Development Officer Cheryl Sweeney, Director of Marketing and Events Angela De Bruyn, Development Assistant Elizabeth Arendt, and Nancy Read. Also attending wereTreasurer Peter Troesch, members Hady Izadpanah, John Valois, Nancy Werner, Erik Wipf, Gavin Chanin, Jan Kopf, John Campanella, Lucrezia DeLeon, John Demboski,and Kirk S. Gilbert.
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