Tag archives: philanthropy
Every once in a while, I have something that I feel so strongly should be presented because of its importance to community, change, and capital that I write it without a question from my readers. Ken Saxon’s work is one such example. Ken Saxon rightly is seen in the Santa Barbara community as the guru […]
South African jungle tracker Boyd Varty was the mane attraction when Bobby and Susan Shand opened the doors of their Montecito aerie for a sunset soiree for AHA!, the Santa Barbara non-profit that inspires youth to be safe, seen and celebrated. The bash, described as “a friend raiser,” also focused attention on the 21st anniversary […]
It was an early start when the Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation hosted its 6th annual Little Heroes breakfast for 400 guests at the Hilton, which raised more than $60,000 for the popular charity. The boffo bash, co-chaired by Heather Ayer, Matt Fish, and Brittany Dobson, featured the eccentric Patch Adams, better known as a medical […]
The late Montecito actor Kirk Douglas, who died earlier this month aged 103, has left his entire $60 million fortune to charity. Kirk, who was known for his charitable contributions throughout his life, has reportedly left the money to several major beneficiaries, including $50 million distributed by the Douglas Foundation, founded by the actor and […]
Young Santa Barbara mother of two, Belmi Tepecque, 22, and her family are the latest recipients of the largesse of the Dream Foundation, which has delivered more than 32,000 dreams over the past 22 years. The popular organization is providing Belmi’s final dream of a trip to Maui with her husband, Gustavo, and two children […]
Everyone was clearly in the right aria when Opera Santa Barbara, celebrating its 26th anniversary, threw its annual gala at the Biltmore, with the 150 guests raising more than $236,972 for the organization, including $116,400 from a paddle raise conducted by artistic and general director Kostis Protopapas. The boffo bash, co-chaired by Joan Rutkowski, board […]
Thomas C. Parker, president and director of Hutton Parker Foundation, really knows how to celebrate history, and he is willing to share. The Foundation has recently completed a multimillion-dollar restoration of the historic Hill-Carrillo Adobe and is offering the beautifully appointed building to non-profit groups for meeting space – for free! In addition, one wing […]
CADA – The Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse – hosted a kickoff party for its 34th annual Amethyst Ball Motown at the Miramar on March 27. The bash in the ritzy Rosewood hostelry’s library was to find underwriters for the various components of the popular ball, including invitations, car parking, the band, and decor, so […]
The Board of Directors of the Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara (SFSB) invited community leaders to its 2019 luncheon at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort. Board chair Christie Glanville welcomed the room full of movers and shakers. She told us, “Thirty-five years ago I was a recipient of a scholarship. SFSB began 57 years […]
The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) had 250 of its members gathered for lunch at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort. What do they do? “The Association represents more than 30,000 fundraisers in 230 chapters throughout the world, working to advance philanthropy through advocacy, research, education, and certification programs. The Association fosters the development and […]
There’s always something new to write about. I got a call from Holly Murphy. She and her husband, Bob, were co-hosting a cocktail party at the Biltmore with John Paul and Lina Belltran to start a new chapter of World of Children in Santa Barbara. The Murphys had been supporters in Los Angeles for five […]
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 […]
Black and white checks were de rigueur when the Santa Barbara Rescue Mission hosted its 18th annual benefit, Bayou 500, at Goleta’s Dos Pueblos Ranch. A record 365 guests attend the car racing themed fun fête, emceed by radio host Catherine Remak and co-chaired by Susan Hughes, Kim Mullen and Joan Wimberly, which featured a […]
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 […]
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 […]
Montecito über philanthropist Sara Miller McCune was honored when the State Street Ballet hosted its 25th anniversary gala for 150 guests in the Biltmore’s Loggia Ballroom, raising around $125,000 for the popular local dance company, which has 20 dancers representing six countries. The room was decorated in myriad shades of blue, Sara’s favorite color, while […]
The Gaviota Coast Conservancy hosted its first ever Coastal Legacy bash at the sun-soaked Music Academy of the West, attracting 230 guests and raising around $200,000 for the environmental non-profit. The event honored philanthropists Jack and Laura Dangermond who, two years ago, preserved in perpetuity the largest privately-owned ranch on the Gaviota Coast with the […]
What really matters in life? What experiences shape our journey? How is today a reflection of our journey and what we have learned and experienced along the way? And mainly, what causes a person to dedicate their life to philanthropy? I have been writing about community, change, and capital for months now and I thought […]
ShelterBox, the Santa Barbara-based charity, has had its hands full of late with a whole slew of global disasters, most recently in the Bahamas from Hurricane Dorian. More than 250 guests turned out at the Summerland estate of John McGovern for a sunset fundraiser, which garnered around $250,000 for the 19-year-old nonprofit, which has responded […]
Hospice of Santa Barbara hosted its 7th annual Jewels by the Sea lunch at the Coral Casino when more than 340 guests helped raise a record $165,000 for the nonprofit. The sun suffused bash, co-chaired by Robin Himovitz, Melinda Goodman-Kemp, and Jill Kitnick, was emceed by KEYT-TV husband and wife anchors CJ Ward and Beth […]
