Tag archives: fundraiser

Stepping Out
By Richard Mineards   |   November 14, 2019

Records were broken when CALM – Child Abuse Listening Mediation – welcomed 330 guests to its annual Stepping Stones lunch at the Coral Casino raising a hefty $230,000, $80,000 more than expected. Speakers for the non-profit, which is just turning 50, were president and chief executive Alana Walczak and Dr. Andria Ruth, a graduate of […]

OLMC Gala
By Richard Mineards   |   November 14, 2019

It was a record turnout when Montecito’s Our Lady of Mount Carmel School threw its 75th anniversary gala in the chandeliered ballroom at the Rosewood Miramar. The school, which started off with 30 students and now serves more than 200, raised around $200,000 for scholarships from the socially gridlocked fête for 350 guests co-chaired by […]

Heal the Ocean
By Lynda Millner   |   November 7, 2019

Heal the Ocean (HTO) goes annually to the El Paseo Restaurant for fun and to raise money to “Heal the Ocean.” It never looked better. The decorations were smashing, all done up in blue and white light reminding one of the ocean. At each guest’s place was a travel bag by Aloha that was also […]

California Missions Foundation
By Lynda Millner   |   October 31, 2019

A little known secret in Santa Barbara is the California Missions Foundation (CMF). I went to a lovely fall fundraiser luncheon at Tyde’s restaurant at the Coral Casino arranged by CMF executive director/CEO David Bolton and his staff. The sun was shining off the ocean, a slice of heaven with about 50 of us enjoying […]

Red Feather Ball
By Lynda Millner   |   October 31, 2019

United Way of Santa Barbara County presented its 23rd Red Feather Ball. Honorary Chair in perpetuity is Katherine Abercrombie (October 10, 1915 – September 15, 2012). In 1997 the Red Feather Ball was created by Katherine after hearing the story of the Red Feather and how it came to symbolize giving during the Depression Era […]

Ps and Qs
By Richard Mineards   |   October 31, 2019

Afternoon tea and champagne was on the menu when John and Marti Daly and the Key Class, a nine-year-old organization that teaches students the manners and etiquette they need to succeed, threw a fundraiser at the Ennisbrook Club House. Seasons Catering of Ventura donated their services for the 60 guests at the fun fete which […]

Sea Soirée
By Richard Mineards   |   October 24, 2019

A tidal wave of generosity swept over the historic El Paseo restaurant when Heal the Ocean, celebrating its 21st anniversary, hosted its annual sold-out gala, raising around $300,000 from 200 guests. The fun fete had Montecito actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus, now recovered from breast cancer surgery, as honorary chair and Los Angeles auctioneer T.Wanna Kennedy selling […]

Hometown Healthcare Heroes
By Richard Mineards   |   October 24, 2019

Thomas Tighe, president and CEO of Direct Relief for 19 years, was lauded at a sold-out Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics Healthcare Heroes lunch at the Montecito Club. During his time with the non profit, it has provided cash grants of more than $40 million and furnished more than $4 billion in essential medicines, equipment and […]

A Little Garden Music
By Richard Mineards   |   October 24, 2019

It was another high note when the Women’s Auxiliary of the Music Academy of the West hosted its second annual benefit Music in the Gardens on the Miraflores campus, with a record 400 guests raising around $80,000 to benefit the community access program, which provides subsidized and free tickets to MAW events. Themed American Rhythms, […]

The Bayou 500
By Lynda Millner   |   October 24, 2019

For the 18th time the Santa Barbara Rescue Mission held their annual event at the historic Rancho Dos Pueblos estate, this year with the theme “The Bayou 500.” They encouraged us to “Start Our Engines, stroll the Brickyard to see the silent auction and cruise over to the Pit Stop to savor tantalizing appetizers, while […]

Seeing Red
By Richard Mineards   |   October 17, 2019

A record 260 guests were seeing red when United Way of Santa Barbara County threw its 23rd annual Red Feather Ball “Red State of Mind” at the Coral Casino, raising around $300,000 for the award-winning Fun in the Sun summer enrichment program and the United for Literacy Initiative. Montecito event whiz Merryl Brown draped the […]

Endless Summer
By Richard Mineards   |   October 17, 2019

A record $570,000 was raised when more than 300 guests turned out for the Dream Foundation’s 5th annual Endless Summer Dream at Bella Vista, the sprawling Summerland estate of polo-playing hotel magnate Pat Nesbitt and his wife, Ursula. The charity’s coffers were helped immeasurably by former board member J. Paul Gignac and Robert Curtis, who […]

Colorful Celebration
By Richard Mineards   |   October 10, 2019

The MOXI Museum, which has 150,000 guests annually, was socially gridlocked when 300 supporters attended the third annual fundraiser Colorosity, raising around $300,000 for the STEAM education, outreach, and accessibility initiatives. All three floors provided a feast for the eyes and palate, with bountiful food at each stop. The boffo bash, co-chaired by Kelly Bret […]

Fun with the Force
By Richard Mineards   |   October 10, 2019

A sea of blue swept over, Bella Vista, the Summerland estate of hotelier Pat Nesbitt and his wife, Ursula, when they hosted the fifth annual Fun with the Force with a record 900 guests raising around $300,000 for the ten-year-old Santa Barbara Police Foundation. The popular organization provides financial support for injured and ill police […]

Gold Ribbon Luncheon
By Lynda Millner   |   October 10, 2019

The paddles never stopped going up during “the ask” for dollars for the Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation (TBCF). In all the 25 years I’ve covered non-profit events, it was amazing. All the proceeds go to help children with cancer and their families in Santa Barbara, Ventura, and San Luis Obispo counties. TBCF was founded in […]

Gaviota Coast Conservancy
By Lynda Millner   |   October 10, 2019

The Gaviota Coast Conservancy (GCC) held its first annual fundraiser at the Music Academy of the West to celebrate the donation of $165 million to buy the Bixby Ranch and to preserve 32 acres (76 miles) of precious coastline forever. This was all due to the largess of Jack and Laura Dangermond. They wanted to […]

Lobero Theatre Associates Annual Luncheon
By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   October 3, 2019

In September the Lobero Theatre Associates held their annual luncheon at La Cumbre Country Club, treated to lunch and informal modeling courtesy of Giuliana Montecito and exquisite jewelry from Oliver & Espig Gallery.  The mission of the Lobero Theatre Associates is to raise money for the Lobero Theatre Foundation in its efforts to serve the […]

An Evening in Bloom
By Lynda Millner   |   October 3, 2019

The Girls Inc. of Carpinteria gym became a Polynesian paradise for their “An Evening in Bloom” themed fundraiser. Orchids abounded including leis for the guests. All the ladies wore flowered prints and guys got out their Hawaiian shirts. Mai Tais were de rigueur during cocktail hour and the silent auction was busy. The evening was […]

Table of Life
By Richard Mineards   |   October 3, 2019

John and Betsey Moller opened the doors of their charming ocean-view Ennisbrook estate for the 8th annual Foodbank of Santa Barbara County Table of Life, which attracted more than 205 supporters and raised around $450,000 for the popular organization, which has a $4.5 million annual budget and distributes 10 million pounds of food annually. This […]

Together We Can
By Richard Mineards   |   October 3, 2019

What a difference a year makes! Last year’s guests at the Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation’s annual Gold Ribbon lunch were sheltering from the pouring rain under a large tent erected on the main lawn at the Biltmore. This year the 378 supporters of the 7th annual event, who raised around $250,000 for the nonprofit, were […]