Getting into the Giving Spirit

It was a splendid kickoff for Yuletide when Montecito Bank & Trust hosted its 21st annual Community Dividends lunch at the Hilton, which distributed $1.1 million among nearly 200 local nonprofits.

More than 280 guests turned out for the seasonal meal in the oceanside hostelry’s tented rotunda for the joyous occasion – which since its launch by bank founder, the late philanthropist Michael Towbes, has presented an impressive $22 million to charity, given last year the amount donated was $2 million, twice the normal amount.

“You represent the best of all that is around us,” said chairman and CEO Janet Garufis of the bank, which has just been ranked the Number Three best bank in the U.S. and the best in California by American Banker magazine.

Special Community Impact Dividend checks of $50,000 were given to Children’s Resource and Referral in Santa Maria, which provides 240 childcare spaces, and the Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association in Ventura County, established in 1947, which provides a grief and bereavement program, by Anne Towbes, Michael’s widow.

Among the appreciative hoard were Kathryn Martin, Rich Block, Rona Barrett, Nina Dunbar, Rolf Geyling, Renee Grubb, Dacia Harwood, Kisa Heyer, Peter Jordano, Tony Morris, George and Laurie Leis, Dean Noble, Fritz Olenberger, Caren Rager, former mayor Helene Schneider, Catherine Remak, David Selberg, and John Thyne.