News
January, 2008: Chip-In for Charity
Buick Invitational 'Chip in for Charity' ticket sales in 2008 raised more than $11,000!
Thanks to all who bought and sold tickets in support of the League!Building the Bridges of Hope January 22, 2008 Event
Big Sister Debra Kerrigan & Little Sister Mercedes
Guests from Diesel Salon: Steph Opperman & Kate Loose
Little Sister Lexy & Big Sister Sarah Clarke
Event Consultant Helna Correll & Councilmember Donna Frye
Guests Alicia McLain & Pleshette Fambrough
Boardmember Cynthia Tanner & Guest Patty Wise from CREW
Big Sister Janet Hanpeter & her Little Sister Tonya Miranda
Event Emcee & Big Sister Kathi Diamant & Executive Director Lydia Lewis
On January 22, 2008, the first Building the Bridges of Hope fundraising event was held for the benefit of the Big Sister League of San Diego, Inc. After a date change due to the October wildfires and a venue change due to repairs at the original location, the League was grateful to have a full house at the Lafayette Inn & Suites for an hour-long program of sweet but powerful stories and high hopes! Thanks to our generous guests, we are thrilled to announce that donations and pledges totalled over $70,000!
Much of the success of the event was due to volunteers from all aspects of Big Sister League. Boardmembers served as Table Captains and invited friends and colleagues to consider making charitable donations. Staff and residents decorated the tables and the room with color-coordinated paper goods, balloons and BSL literature, not to mention delicious food and beverages! Residents and B/L Sisters directed people to parking and to the room, and then through registration and to their tables. Little Sisters gave out goody-bags and charmed everyone! And finally, staff and residents did the unglamorous but most necessary task of cleaning up at the end.
Thanks also to Trader Joe's (Point Loma), Trader Joe's (Hillcrest), Whole Foods Market (Hillcrest), Henry's Marketplace (North Park) and Edelweiss Bakery (Mira Mesa) for their donations of food for the event.
Thanks to these volunteers and donors, etc., the League’s first Building the Bridges of Hope fundraising event was a beautifully-done and very successful event.
In case you missed it, here’s what it was like:
Guests joined boardmembers, residents, Big Sisters and Little Sisters, to enjoy tasty tidbits prepared by staff. Board President Donna Moore welcomed everyone and introduced emcee Kathi Diamant. Kathi told us about how she came to be a Big Sister and how gratifying it has been. Kathi has been a Big Sister since 1985.
Kathi introduced Big/Little Sister match Janet Hanpeter and Tonya Miranda, who spoke about their long relationship and how it’s impacted their lives. After a bit of eating and socializing at the tables, Executive Director Lydia Lewis talked about past, present and future – what’s unique about the organization and why it needs support. Big Sister League Advisory Board member and motivational speaker Skipper Ragsdale followed with some humor and inspiration to encourage guests to support the League.
A video showed clips from interviews and time spent with Big and Little Sisters, and with residents of the League’s transitional housing program. After the video, resident Ava and former resident Sharon shared their stories about what brought them to the Big Sister house, how BSL helped them to manage their mental illnesses and what it has meant to them in regaining independence and self-confidence.
Kathi returned to the podium to walk guests through the Pledge cards and Lydia wrapped up the program with a mention of the upcoming BBH tour dates. Guests were invited to visit the Redwood Street house to see more of what the Big Sister League is doing. Building the Bridges of Hope Tours are held monthly.
More Photos from the BBH Event 1/22/08