“Road to Emerald City” Raises $380,000

This past Saturday Hillsides hosted its annual benefit, “Road to Emerald City,” where guests followed the yellow brick road to raise $380,000 for programs and services serving vulnerable children and families living in Los Angeles County. As I looked around The California Club in downtown Los Angeles, I saw how the Benefit Committee had transformed it into the Land of Oz where Dorothy and the Wicked Witch also made a special appearance. With generous donors like Jacob Maarse Florists who  donated the floral designs for the evening’s theme, I was amazed at just how much time, talent and energy is put forth to make such a spectacular event.

Kudos goes to Benefit chair Cathy Brennan, who set the stage for an unforgettable evening. We are also fortunate that Hillsides has many board members, supporters and volunteers that work with us behind the scenes to acquire amazing displays and items like the replica Ruby Slippers worn by Judy Garland in the “Wizard of Oz” previously on loan to The Smithsonian Museum from the Collection of David A. Pacheco that were displayed at the event. Other items were the candy bar that was a hit with the guests as were the hundred auction packages available for bid, and 1.5 carat natural Colombian Emerald opportunity drawing, donated by SN Queens. The Riboli Family of San Antonio Winery and Roger and Michele Engemann generously donated the wine for the evening.

Our emcee and celebrity auctioneer Fritz Coleman of KNBC reminded us that he has been supporting Hillsides a quarter of a century as he mentioned the centennial that we will be celebrating next year. Dr. Drew Pinsky, time and time again, continues to speak about the important work we do and emphasizes the value we give individuals to help them through troubling times. Hillsides is lucky to have such a committed emcee and celebrity auctioneer along with Cathy Brennan, who with her committee, worked tirelessly to present this evening. Most of all, without the sponsorships, we could not host such an elaborate evening. I want to thank our major sponsors who demonstrate a significant commitment through their generous contribution. Publicly, I would like to say, again, we could not do all we do for the children and families in our care, without your dedication to our mission.

Thank you to Susan and Bill Noce, Bolton & Company Insurance Brokers, Marge and Sherm Telleen, Don and Sally Clark, Linda and Stephen Gill, Clara Maarse and Hank Maarse-Jacob Maarse Florists, Ben and Judy Reiling, Paul Rusnak-Rusnak Auto Group, Swanton Family Foundation, The Walt Disney Company, Western Asset Management and many more who shared in our vision of the “Road to Emerald City.”

The weekend was filled with momentous occasions, not just for Hillsides guests as they reached the Emerald City, but for others who also partook in the viewing of the Oscar Academy Awards. And as I sat there also participating, I couldn’t help but think how grateful I was for the extraordinary performance by so many at Hillsides that we had our own awards to give.

Best Picture: Road to Emerald City

Producer: Susan and Bill Noce

Actor in Leading Role: Fritz Coleman

Actress in Leading Role: Cathy Brennan

Best Director: Development Department

Costume Design: Goldsmith & Klein

Art Direction: Jacob Maarse Florists

Music: Mark Levang & Band with special appearance by John Mahon

A special thanks goes to or guests for attending, viewing, and bidding. I wonder ... who will get next year’s awards?

Friends Sparkle at Fundraiser “Diamonds Are Forever”

This past Saturday, more than 350 Hillsides’ friends, including celebrities Dr. Drew Pinsky and Jean Smart, attended the much-anticipated annual benefit, “Diamonds Are Forever.” Chaired by La Canada resident Donna Ford, also a Hillsides’ board member, the annual benefit raised $370,000 for our programs and services for vulnerable children, youth and families.
I am so appreciative to our donors who consistently support the work we do to help restore hope to the children and families. The demand for services is great so I am encouraged by everyone’s support of our event and their desire to help bring some brilliance into the lives of those we serve.

For their participation in a very important way, I want to recognize, once again, our $10,000 and above sponsors for their level of commitment: The California Endowment, Bill and Susan Noce, Rusnak Automotive Group, Marge and Sherm Telleen, a gift in memory of Mr. and Mrs. Jack G. Booth, Don and Sally Clark, Drake General Contractors, Linda and Stephen Gill, Jacob and Clara Maarse-Jacob Maarse Florists, Judy and Ben Reiling, Swanton Family Foundation, The Walt Disney Company, and Western Asset Management. Without that kind of major support, we can’t have a successful event.

The event was action-packed with many unique and exceptional auction items, garnered by an amazing group of women and men who worked so well together. Many thanks to the Benefit Committee, under the leadership of Donna Ford, for planning an incredible event that sparkled in so many ways.

For the 19th consecutive year, Fritz Coleman, weathercaster for KNBC-4 and honorary chairman of the benefit, served as master of ceremonies and celebrity auctioneer. As always, he brilliantly entertained guests throughout the live auction, encouraging them to bid higher and not budging for anything less than an excellent bid to help the children. And as he so comically put it, he held our dinner hostage until we took care of business.

I was also very excited to have been a part of the live auction, along with Holly and Dave Davis, longtime supporters of Hillsides. As an amateur chef or as the appropriate title of the live auction package stated, “Diamond in the Rough,” I offered to prepare a 3-course dinner for eight guests at the home of Dave and Holly Davis. Wine pairings will be provided by Dave and dinner will be served by the 2011 Benefit Committee. Fritz was able to garner two high bids so we decided to offer two packages to both bidders. A heartfelt appreciation goes to Don Clark and John Miller, who along with Bill Burkitt bid for the package, for believing in my culinary talent.

Other event highlights included a silent auction, opportunity drawings, and, for the first time, a diamond draw to win a one-carat diamond, donated by Timeless Gems, complemented by entertainment throughout the evening. 

If you did not get a chance to attend and have an opportunity to go next year, I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to have an extraordinary time while helping a worthwhile mission. In the meantime, you still have an opportunity to attend another celebrity-sighted event at another annual event, Hillsides Foster Soles, on Wednesday, April 27. Bar Celona in Pasadena will be hosting the kickoff event of our online auction of celebrity autographed shoes. You won’t want to miss this one so save the date!