Tag archives: United Way
Montecito designer, developer, and author Xorin Balbes used his latest project in our rarefied enclave to raise monies for the local charity, United Way. 80 guests descended on Monte Arroyo, a most impressive Hot Springs Road estate, built in 1910. Xorin and his floral curator husband Truman Davies live a tiara’s toss or two down […]
Carats were definitely on the menu when United Way of Santa Barbara County held a double celebration at the Montecito Club for 230 guests – the 100-year-old charity’s diamond anniversary and the 26th Red Feather Ball, which raised around $400,000 for the organization that serves more than 10,000 local children and their families annually. The […]
As might be expected with an organization that has been around for 100 years, there have been a lot of changes at United Way of Santa Barbara County (UWSBC) over the course of a century of service that began in 1923. Originally known as the Santa Barbara Community Chest, the nonprofit’s model focused almost exclusively […]
This year’s Red Feather Ball for United Way of Santa Barbara County had a decidedly Moroccan flavor with the theme Voyage to Marrakesh, a cosmopolitan city I have visited many times, including the 70th anniversary of one of the world’s top hotels, La Mamounia, when it was owned by King Hassan II, and the 70th […]
While Ukraine can seem very far away and hard to help from here, these are some stories of local organizations and people that are helping Ukrainians both close by and afar. ShelterBox USA For years ShelterBox USA has been helping communities in crisis around the world, even being nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize in […]
Women United is an integral part of United Way. Together they advocate, support, and expand the ongoing work of United Way of Santa Barbara County’s educational programs. The need for investment in literacy could not be more clear and guides Women United’s activities and projects each year. In Santa Barbara County, 78% of economically disadvantaged […]
UCSB Arts & Lectures invited its Producer Circle members to a holiday party in the Arlington Courtyard. There were cozy firepots and signature holiday cocktails along with DJ Darla Bea. United Way of Santa Barbara was also there to promote their seasonal toy drive for kids. After the reception there was a line outside the […]
United Way’s 24th annual Red Feather Ball was a two-act affair. The 130-guest Birds of a Feather-themed fête, which raised nearly $150,000, was staged at two handsome estates on Hot Springs Road, two hours apart. The boffo bash, chaired by Shari Liu Fellows, launched at the former home of Lady Leslie Ridley-Tree, now owned by […]
For a relatively large and well-established nonprofit organization in our community, United Way of Santa Barbara County over the last few years has demonstrated the ability to respond quickly to current circumstances — not so much as an about face or even a course correction, but more of an adapting to changing needs to meet […]
Along with key community partners, United Way of Santa Barbara County is leading a multi-pronged response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on needs assessments conducted with dozens of community partners, the response efforts are focused on providing direct assistance to local individuals, families, and nonprofit organizations, supporting essential workers and workplaces with emergency childcare services […]
When I committed to write a regular column for the Montecito Journal about our local community and the people who care for it, I could never have imagined COVID-19 and how it has overtaken our collective world. But here we are in this moment of fear and “social distancing” and the crushing of livelihoods, and […]
United Way of Santa Barbara County presented its 23rd Red Feather Ball. Honorary Chair in perpetuity is Katherine Abercrombie (October 10, 1915 – September 15, 2012). In 1997 the Red Feather Ball was created by Katherine after hearing the story of the Red Feather and how it came to symbolize giving during the Depression Era […]
A record 260 guests were seeing red when United Way of Santa Barbara County threw its 23rd annual Red Feather Ball “Red State of Mind” at the Coral Casino, raising around $300,000 for the award-winning Fun in the Sun summer enrichment program and the United for Literacy Initiative. Montecito event whiz Merryl Brown draped the […]
School students had to face the music at the Music Academy of the West. More than 300 youngsters from United Way of Santa Barbara County’s Fun in the Sun scheme attended a concert at Hahn Hall as part of the Up Close and Musical program, now in its eighth year. The fun event, a collaboration […]
“The reading of all good books is like a conversation with the finest minds of past centuries.” René Descartes When I was a little girl (a thousand years ago) the big collectible was Storybook dolls. They were a little smaller than a Barbie, which came later, and arrived in white boxes with either blue or […]
The Amazons were out in force when United Way’s Women United hosted its second annual event, a Classic Storybook lunch at the Coral Casino, with the 200 guests expected to raise around $100,000 to help the charity’s literacy programs for children. Former supermodel turned business tycoon Montecito-based Kathy Ireland spoke eloquently at the Beauty and […]
United Way board member Bob Hollman and his wife, Joan, opened the doors of their beautiful Montecito Valley Ranch home for VIP supporters for a festive fete, with Ocean’s Eight producer Susie Ekins regaling guests with Hollywood dish. Ekins was also executive producer for Ocean’s 10, 11, 12 and 13! Among those quaffing the champagne […]
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 […]
Last week, United Way of Santa Barbara County announced the distribution of the last of the funds donated to the organization following the Thomas Fire and debris flow. The second and last phase of funds are assisting households representing more than 1,200 Santa Barbara County individuals and families and 20 community organizations. The total amount […]
Among the heroes braving the Montecito mudslides in January were 18 teams from the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation (SDF), the group’s largest single deployment since Hurricane Katrina. Based in Santa Paula, SDF had two veteran Canine Disaster Search Teams ready and waiting in the area prior to the slide, allowing them to get straight to work. […]
