On a Roll with Rally4Kids

Michael Baker, CEO of the Boys and Girls Club of Santa Barbara County, definitely made a splash when he participated in the 9th annual Rally4Kids when 63 cars, ranging from Porsches to Ferraris, traveled a 142-mile route starting and ending at the Santa Barbara Polo Club, culminating in the Black and Gold Gala emceed by the ubiquitous Andrew Firestone on the grounds.

Michael was dunked into a tank of cold water 29 times en route during the event, 20 times by children, but seemed to take it in his stride. “I did it for the kids!” he declared after drying out.

The rally, co-chaired by Monte and Maria Wilson, raised around $400,000 for the cause, following a drivers and navigators reception at the Montecito estate of Bruce Heavin and Lynda Weinman earlier in the week.

Among the supporters were Lord and Lady Robert Hope, Brenda Blalock and Alan Porter, Oscar Gutierrez, Terry and Kelley Pillow, Dana Newquist, David Edelman, Maitland Ward, the ubiquitous KEYT-TV commentator John Palminteri, and DJ Darla Bea.