24th Annual Bayou Down Under

This weekend was packed with society events and yours truly was there! An experience to be had was at Ty Warner’s Sandpiper Golf Club which provided the perfect new setting for the Santa Barbara Rescue Mission’s 24^th Annual Bayou Down Under fundraiser, formerly held at the Dos Pueblos Ranch. The more geographically central location was a welcome relief for many attendees avidly supporting this beloved nonprofit. Of note, this is the 60^th anniversary of the SB Rescue Mission, founded by Chuck and Mary Pope in a storefront on State Street in 1965.

Chairing the event this year were Pamela Dillman Haskell and Nancy Melekian. I caught up with Pamela, a noted and award-winning voice actor. Pamela has served as the recent past president of the SB Rescue Mission Women’s Auxiliary, and as a member for many years. She shared, “The SB Rescue Mission Women’s Auxiliary has put on this event for 24 years. For the first time, we are not at the Dos Pueblos Ranch, and are blessed to be here at the Sandpiper Golf Club on a glorious day in support of what I truly believe is the most important organization in this community. We are God-leading and faith-based, but we are very inclusive and do not require anyone to be a devout Christian. We do lead with the 12-step program which is faith based. In addition to our two facilities, we partner with organizations in town that reach out to schools and youth.”

Noted guests were Montecito Bank & Trust President and CEO Janet Garufis, the new CEO SB Zoo Charles Hopper with wife Aisha, Annie Ferguson, Stephanie Linn, Diane Price, Georgia Jameson, Tony Davis, Megan Burwell, SB Community Church Pastor Ken Hwang, SB Foundation VP of Philanthropic Services Tammy Sims Johnson, Cameron Brace, SB Rescue Mission Program Graduate and Director of Residential Treatment L.B. Chandler and wife Darlene, and SB Mayor Randy Rowse. 

Also attending was SB Rescue Mission Women’s Auxiliary Chair Cindy Anderson and members Susan Hughes, Leanne Patterson, and Barb Biehl; Silent Auction Coordinators Terry Foil, Alice Birch, and Katie Pointer; the SB Rescue Mission President Rolf Geyling and the Board of Directors: Chair Kiah Jordan, Sarah Douglas, Treasurer Byron Myers, Secretary John Ross, Erin Barr, Chris Call, Joe Foster, Patti Hunter, Barney Melekian, Garth Nobis, Tom Rogers, and Paige Sawaya.

Parking off-site, guests were valeted to the Grand Lawn area for an Aussie outback experience. The program began with a silent auction o’plenty with literally hundreds of top tier experiences and gifts to bid on via one’s smart phone, turning the bidding wars into a dating match. Wonderful live music was provided by Al Vafa Duo.

Dining was al fresco with ocean views and family style service. Event emcee Catherine Remak introduced Pastor Hwang who provided a prayer for the guests. Geyling provided his thanks to everyone for their continued support of the organization. He introduced Noah benShea –globally renowned poet-philosopher and a friend of this year’s Léni Fé Bland awardee Janet Rowse – to say a few words about her work. Rowse is the co-founder and executive director of SafeLaunch, an organization committed to preventing youth substance use. The mission of SafeLaunch is to empower youth via drug free clubs and supporting healthy choices. In accepting her award, Rowse thanked her husband and kids for their support. She emphasized the importance of preventing substance abuse at the youth level.

For those who would like to support the SB Rescue Mission and could not attend the fundraiser, a most generous group of friends are offering to match every donation up to $50,000, for all donations received by October 15. 

411: https://sbrm.org/

And that’s a wrap till next week! Do email me if you have society news or an experience we can do together! Xx JAC