Tag archives: philanthropy
When M.E.R.R.A.G. was formed in 1987 as Montecito Emergency Response and Recovery Action Group, the uber-local organization started serving a vital purpose as the Montecito Fire Protection District’s neighborhood eyes and ears through a cohort of trained, embedded local volunteers augmenting our first responders’ efforts to keep the community safe. Growing out of a newly […]
Local doctor Michael Behrman and his wife Sonia, both foster parents, opened the gates of their picturesque oceanfront Hope Ranch estate for the third consecutive year for Angels Foster Care’s 11th annual al fresco lunch with 270 guests raising around $250,000 for the non-profit founded in 2006 by Meichelle Arntz, who was Mistress of Ceremonies, […]
Hospice of Santa Barbara has launched a Legacy of Compassion campaign to coincide with its 50th anniversary. CEO David Selberg announced the campaign, which helps with activities throughout the year, at a Shining Light Society spring reception at its Riviera headquarters, just a tiara’s toss from the Belmond El Encanto. Behavior analyst Rosy Bucio shared […]
In the heart of every thriving community lies a network of local businesses that can serve not only as its economic backbone but also as its social one. Yet, in the face of challenges such as economic downturns and natural disasters, these businesses often bear the brunt of adversity. This was clearly evidenced in Montecito […]
Montecito Bank & Trust celebrated its 49th anniversary by gathering with 11 local nonprofit representatives at the bank’s annual anniversary grants reception. Michael Towbes, the bank’s late founder, first started the anniversary grant program in 1993 to give back to the community. He wanted bank employees to have a voice in the direction of the […]
Most locals are probably aware of the best Santa Barbara place to visit every Memorial Day weekend for a glimpse of the chalk drawings during the I Madonnari street painting festival. They know they can spend a colorful summer evening watching music and dancing from Mexico and other indigenous Californios cultures during La Fiesta Pequeña, […]
Brady United Against Gun Violence, aka the Brady Center, marks its 50th anniversary since its founding. But the organization that was catalyzed by the assassination attempt against President Reagan – gunshots that permanently disabled his press secretary James Brady – isn’t planning any big celebrations. Rather, the nonprofit’s efforts continue to be focused on doing […]
Storyteller Children’s Center, founded 36 years ago, hosted its 10th annual Lunch with Love at the Rockwood Woman’s Club with 177 guests raising around $100,00 for the organization – a therapeutic preschool providing tuition-free early childhood education for youngsters with adverse challenges. The boffo bash, co-chaired by Erinn Lynch and Dr. Peggy Dodds, featured Ashleigh […]
UCSB Arts & Lectures’ fall season was one for the ages, with enviable events throughout the breadth of its programming. The dance program boasted an era-spanning array, from the launch of the Martha Graham Dance Company’s Graham100 programs to the stunning West Coast debut of Turn it Out with Tiler Peck & Friends. Pop music […]
Last month’s groundbreaking ceremony marked Sanctuary Centers’ initiation of its forthcoming new building. To witness the launch of this transformative community benefit project was, of course, a thrilling moment. The project, which will provide 34 units of new housing along with co-located medical, dental and behavioral health clinics, represents a milestone moment in the nonprofit’s […]
Seniors experiencing depression or related mental health challenges have a new resource to help them retain their independence and improve quality of life thanks to a recently-launched program from Family Service Agency (FSA). PEARLS – an acronym for the Program to Encourage Active, Rewarding Lives – utilizes an evidence-based approach to reduce symptoms of depression […]
The much-loved St. Vincent’s Santa Barbara annual fashion show luncheon took off with all the holiday flair of the season at the Rosewood Miramar Beach Ballroom on Saturday, November 25. This year was their 15th annual event, and saw 300 guests with a wait list, indicating the growth of the event over the years, since […]
The Friendship Center in Montecito held a Thanksgiving luncheon for its members and their families and friends on Wednesday, November 22 at the center. The festive feast was led by Executive Director Kathryn Westland and her team of Kim Larsen, cooks, and even her cousins – the MeekerFamily from San Diego! The cooks were busy […]
The Veterans Memorial Building, a tiara’s toss from Stearns Wharf, was absolutely heaving when 600 needy guests converged on the historic locale for the 4th annual Thanksgiving lunch organized by Adam’s Angels, founded by realtor Adam McKaig. More than 350 pounds of turkey bought at Shalhoob’s, with the PATH Homeless Shelter donating its kitchen to […]
It was a splendid kickoff for Yuletide when Montecito Bank & Trust hosted its 21st annual Community Dividends lunch at the Hilton, which distributed $1.1 million among nearly 200 local nonprofits. More than 280 guests turned out for the seasonal meal in the oceanside hostelry’s tented rotunda for the joyous occasion – which since its […]
Montecito Journal Media Group launched The Giving List back in November of 2020 as a way to connect two very important communities in the region: the thousands of nonprofit organizations, totally perhaps more per capita than any other county in the country, and the vast and deep philanthropic community, which supports the organizations working hard […]
The Association of Fundraising Professionals Santa Barbara/Ventura Counties Chapter celebrated National Philanthropy Day with a Philanthropy Awards presentation on Tuesday, November 14, at the Santa Barbara Zoo. The event was led by their President Lauren Trujillo, her co-chairs Molly Kemper and Gerry Pantoja, and the event committee: Karen Y. Kawaguchi, Megan Nuss, Hannah Quiroz, Shannon […]
Back in 2018, when the Montecito debris flows left huge swaths of the village buried under hundreds of tons of mud and other detritus, the Santa Barbara Bucket Brigade (SBBB) was all over the news. The first responders had moved on, and the job of digging out was just beginning. Nearly every outlet around ran […]
The Family Service Agency of Santa Barbara County got into quite a pickle at the Montecito Club at the weekend. The popular charity, founded in 1899, hosted its inaugural pickleball tournament with 68 players organized by local realtor Natalie Collins-Smith, raising $20,000 for senior service programs and youth mental health with sponsorship from Farmers & […]
A tsunami of supporters turned up at the FisHouse for a Heal the Ocean sunset soirée to thank donors for helping raise a most impressive record $350,000 from its fourth consecutive imaginary Silver Anniversary gala. “It’s the perfect kind of event,” enthused Hillary Hauser, president and executive director of the popular charity. “Very little overhead […]
