Tag archives: fundraiser

Coral Sunset
By Lynda Millner   |   October 25, 2018

It really was a Coral (Casino) Sunset when United Way gave its 22nd annual Red Feather Ball. The late Katherine Abercrombie is the honorary chair in perpetuity. She created the Red Feather Ball in 1997 after hearing the story of the Red Feather and how it came to symbolize giving during the Depression Era Community […]

Teddy Bear Gold Ribbon Luncheon
By Lynda Millner   |   October 25, 2018

Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation (TBCF) gave its Gold Ribbon Luncheon on the Monte Vista Lawn at the Biltmore Four Seasons Resort in spite of the rain. It was a tad muddy, but with a tent roof hung with beautiful turquoise and gold balloons over our heads, we were all dry and cozy. The luncheon was […]

Let’s Rock the Walk for AHA!
By Joanne A Calitri   |   October 25, 2018

It’s time to put on your running shoes for the annual AHA! fundraiser, Rock the Walk, on Saturday November 4, at 9 am with the starting line at Stella Mare restaurant across from the Andree Clark Bird Refuge. I met with event founder Kyle Brace and development director Molly Green at the Starbucks on Coast […]

Winn-Winn Situation
By Richard Mineards   |   October 25, 2018

It was a most bewitching occasion when Alistair and Ann Winn and co-host Bonnie Dunlap threw an early Halloween bash in their Gothic conservatory, which raised $12,000 for the Bucket Brigade and Habitat for Humanity’s Montecito Mavericks from an auction of dolls. Guests had flown in from Seattle, New York, and Washington for the boo-tiful […]

Just for Funds
By Richard Mineards   |   October 25, 2018

Philanthropist Sara Miller McCune was front and center when CAMA – the Community Arts Music Association – threw its centennial gala at the Biltmore, with 110 guests raising around $210,000 for the organization that brings many of the world’s most famous orchestras and performers to our Eden by the Beach. Sara, who has donated millions […]

Roaring Twenties Revisited
By Richard Mineards   |   October 18, 2018

Bellosguardo, the 23-acre estate 100-million-dollar estate of the late reclusive copper heiress Huguette Clark overlooking East Beach, opened its imposing doors to the public for the first time in six decades when the 22,000-sq.-ft. mansion’s newly formed foundation threw a memorable Great Gatsby gala, which attracted more than 500 guests and is expected to have […]

Montecito Trails Barbecue
By Lynda Millner   |   October 18, 2018

MontecitoTrails Foundation (MTF) has been working long and hard since the debris flow. Their mission as a nonprofit is to have volunteers and to keep more than 300 miles of trails open to the public. MTF folks want you to know “that thanks to your donations, membership and support the trails are really taking shape.” […]

Pegasus Luncheon
By Lynda Millner   |   October 18, 2018

Hearts Therapeutic Equestrian Center (HTEC) at 4420 Calle Real is a special place. As honoree and past president a couple of times, Barbara Toumayan shared, “It was a very small organization when I began fourteen years ago. It brings me total joy.” That will be echoed by thousands of individuals from children to adults since […]

At the Table
By Richard Mineards   |   October 11, 2018

Jim and Stephanie Sokolove opened their beautiful Montecito estate, just a tiara’s toss from TV talk show titan Oprah Winfrey, for the fourth consecutive year to host the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County’s seventh annual Table of Life beano, chaired by Montecito Bank & Trust head honcho Janet Garufis, with more than 260 colorfully garbed […]

In-Tents Situation
By Richard Mineards   |   October 11, 2018

A large tent had been erected to protect the 420 guests at the sold-out 16th Gold Ribbon lunch for the Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation at the Biltmore from the blazing sun, but it served an entirely different purpose when the heavens opened, deluging the tony beachside hostelry in a rare rainstorm. Silent auction items had […]

Happy as a Lark
By Richard Mineards   |   October 4, 2018

A record sell-out crowd of 300 guests descended on Sherry Villanueva‘s Funk Zone eatery The Lark for the 48-year-old Community Environmental Council’s ninth annual Green Gala, raising more than $125,000 for the cause. The boffo bash, lavishly decorated in green hues, was co-chaired by Carolyn Fitzgerald, Leanne Schlinger Diebolt, and Elizabeth Wagner, with the ubiquitous […]

Straight to the Pointe
By Richard Mineards   |   October 4, 2018

It was all tu-tu much when the State Street Ballet threw its 24th anniversary gala for a record 184 guests in the Biltmore’s Loggia Ballroom, raising around $140,000 for the popular local dance company. The fab fete, which honored avid supporter Arlyn Goldsby, longtime board member and patron, was emceed by Jonatha King, with dance […]

Mental Capacity
By Richard Mineards   |   September 27, 2018

Santa Barbara’s 71-year-old Mental Wellness Center, which normally throws its annual lunch at the Carrillo Recreation Center, moved to grander quarters in the Loggia Ballroom of the Biltmore for its 8th annual fundraiser with 175 guests, raising around $150,000. The organization, which has an annual budget of $3 million, started focusing on youth 10 years […]

Forecast: Chili Today, Hot Tamale
By Richard Mineards   |   September 27, 2018

I got a decidedly chili reception when I attended a fundraiser for the Santa Barbara Navy League at the Carriage and Western Art Museum. But that was only to be expected given I was asked to be a judge along with TV host Craig Case, culinary wizard Michael Hutchings, and Bill Pintard, manager of the […]

Dream Weavers
By Richard Mineards   |   September 27, 2018

A record 450 guests turned out for the Dream Foundation’s 4th annual Endless Summer Dream party at Bella Vista, the sprawling Summerland estate of polo-playing hotel magnate Pat Nesbitt and his wife, Ursula, raising around $300,000 for the popular charity that just celebrated its 30,000th dream. The fun fashion fete, co-chaired by Ursula and Arlene […]

Helping Hands
By Richard Mineards   |   September 27, 2018

ShelterBox, the Santa Barbara-based charity, has had its hand full of late with a whole slew of global disasters, most recently in the Philippines, Indonesia, Kenya, and Ethiopia. More than 250 guests turned out at the Summerland estate of John McGovern for its second annual fundraiser, which raised more than $250,000 for the 18-year-old nonprofit, […]

New News is Good News
By Richard Mineards   |   September 27, 2018

Santa Barbara’s New House, a 63-year-old nonprofit to help men suffering from alcohol and drug dependency, held its third annual lunch with a sold-out record 220 guests at the Hilton emceed by KEYT-TV reporter John Palminteri, raising around $45,000. The charity’s three residences in our Eden by the Beach provide 98 beds for those needing […]

Lobero Theatre Associates
By Lynda Millner   |   September 27, 2018

In 1938, the Lobero Theatre Foundation was incorporated to maintain, preserve, and present programming for the Lobero Theatre. In 1972, the Associates was founded as a women’s auxiliary to support the theater’s mission. One of those founding members is still with the group, Marilyn Schuermann. The associates hold a seat on the Lobero Theatre Foundation […]

Ford Tough: Center Celebrates 50th
By Richard Mineards   |   September 27, 2018

Veteran film actor Harrison Ford landed at Santa Barbara Airport to help the New Beginnings Counseling Center celebrate its half-century at a sun-drenched celebration at the 76-year-old Ovington Terminal, I can exclusively report. Ford, 76, globally known as Hans Solo in Star Wars and the title character of the Indiana Jones film series, flew in […]

MTF Annual Barbecue
By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   September 20, 2018

Montecito Trails Foundation will host its annual barbecue on Sunday, September 30, at Crane Country Day School. “It’s less of a fundraiser this year, and more of a thank you!” said Ashlee Mayfield, MTF board member. The Foundation has been hard at work restoring the Montecito network of trails since the Thomas Fire and debris […]