The Valley Line: Raising funds and glasses for children’s services
It was an especially lovely Sunday afternoon when 200 supporters of the Los Altos Auxiliary of Hathaway-Sycamores gathered together to taste highly rated wines from the Santa Barbara wine-growing region.
The party was held in the patio of the Thursday Club. Themed “Sip, Savor, & Support, Santa Barbara Style,” this was the eighth such event the group has held. Jennifer Herzer and Sue Perry were the fundraiser’s co-chairs.
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The 40-member group coordinated a delightful afternoon for their guests. At the parking lot entrance to the clubhouse, a vintage “woody” station wagon was parked and tunes from the Beach Boys filled the air. Surf boards were set casually by the iron gates of the patio, enhancing the sunny California surfer ambience.
The casually attired guests raised their wine glasses in support of the need to help fund essential therapeutic and other support services for the youngsters who live at Hathaway-Sycamores’ Child and Family Services’ El Nido Drive residential treatment facility in Altadena. The center is a leading California provider of children’s mental health services, touching nearly 7,000 lives each year.
Party goers were treated to delicious appetizers provided by ETC Gourmet Kitchen & Catering in Montrose, with all meats graciously donated by Broadleaf Meats, and desserts provided by ETC Catering and Tama Trading.
The wines were provided by Woodland Hills Wine Co., Mission Wine & Spirits, and Los Olivos Wine Merchant & Café. Complimentary espresso was provided by Jones Coffee.
In addition to sipping and savoring, guests also had the opportunity to support Los Altos via a giving tree, a wine pull, sales of beautiful florals and succulents and a silent-auction featuring an impressive array of beautifully curated baskets and experiences.
Los Altos Auxiliary has been able to enrich the lives of the boys at El Nido in meaningful ways by providing their first on-campus library, computer stations, new playground equipment, a silk-screening business and an art center.
In 2015 Los Altos funded cottage bathroom makeovers and a career-development/job-training program for the older boys. Los Altos also provided hands-on activities for members like giving birthday gift cards and cupcakes, homemade blankets, Easter bags, Halloween carnivals and more.
Los Altos’ co-presidents Laura Campobasso and Michele Listo reminded guests that gifts may seem routine to many, but to these boys, many of whom have experienced unbelievable trauma and abuse, it is an amazing outpouring of care and concern for them that can be remarkably powerful in their healing and recovery.
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Speaking of the Thursday Club, this long-standing women’s organization held its fundraising “Springtime in Paris” luncheon and fashion show.
There were plenty of spring chapeaux to admire as guests’ creations were a fashion show in themselves.
Taking one of the honors in the hat display was club member Robin Gehr, who was wearing a hat adorned with lace and pink flowers. She was presented an award by club president Jeanie Kay.
The theme for the day was evident in the pretty flowers on the tables, and a large replica of the Eiffel Tower stood near the podium. Cindi McIntosh-Behr chaired the event and narrated the fashion show.
Before guests were seated, they shopped at the “marketplace” where they could choose from an enormous selection of items offered by vendors. The marketplace was humming with activity and there appeared to be many satisfied customers. Sheri Morton, president-elect for the club, was in charge of identifying and assisting the many vendors.
Alison McQuay took reservations and Gracella Gibbs was in charge of the silent auction. Helping out by beautifully wrapping the silent auction gifts were Linda Pebsworth, Wvonne Elleri, Alma Tycer and Mary Ann Heeseman. Bev Albright was in charge of check out.
Bartenders for the day were Terry Kay and John Green. While shopping and chatting with neighbors and friends, guests sipped on what Jeanie Kay said was “real Champagne.” She explained that it came from the Champagne growing area of France. The bubbles did tickle my nose and, yes, Jeanie, it was the real deal and tasted so much better than the other kind.
It was a lovely fashion show with clothes coordinated by Lilian O’Connor and Karla Baer Cohen. Models for the show were Thursday Club members Pat Huber, Dolly Dickie, Maaren Wynton, Sue Beatty, Nancy Wyman and Jackie Walls.
For lunch, guests dined on a salad of baby field greens topped by dried apples, candied pecans, blue cheese crumbles with a cider vinaigrette. Entrée choices were herb-stuffed chicken, eggplant Parmesan, or Coquilles St. Jacques. Dessert was brioche French toast with a berry compote.
It was a lovely day for a beautiful fashion show and it seemed to me that everyone was in a springtime mood.
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JANE NAPIER NEELY covers the La Cañada Flintridge social scene. Email her at jnvalleysun@aol.com with news of your special event.