Dream Foundation’s 14th Annual Flower Empower Luncheon raised more than $250,000 for the Santa Barbara-based program that brings cheer with fresh flower bouquets.

The May 22 event recognized the donors, volunteers, and flower professionals who have kept the program thriving for 20 years.
 
Some 250 attendees applauded Volunteers of the Year Alison Brainard Sydney and Margaret Prothero; Youth Volunteers of the Year: boys team charity and boys team charity North; Grower of the Year: Maximum Flowers; and Program Sponsors: Robin & Roger Himovitz and The Thornton Foundation.

Dream Foundation’s Flower Empower is a Santa Barbara-based, volunteer-driven program that delivers floral bouquets, fresh-baked cookies, fine chocolates, and hand-made cards to people in hospices, cancer centers, and their homes every week.

Since its inception in 1994, the program has made more than 132,000 of these special deliveries. A recipient can be anyone in Santa Barbara in need of cheer.

Held for the second year at Rosewood Miramar Beach, the Flower Empower benefit featured a silent auction with more than 100 items, including a Paso Robles getaway; original artwork by Kevin Gleason; mahjong lessons; pickleball lessons; jewelry; and an assortment of goods and experiences.

An opportunity drawing offered three prizes; the Botanical Garden Lego set, a grocery gift card collection; and an orchid display, thanks to program florists Westerlay Orchids.
 
Andrew Firestone served as emcee and hosted the live auction offering six experiences.

Aloha, Maui! – Four Seasons Resort and first-class airfare courtesy of Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea and Alaska Airlines.

Bonjour St. Barths – A stay at the Hotel Le Toiny on St. Barths and island hopper flights courtesy of Hotel Le Toiny, Janine Cifelli Representation, Tradewind Aviation, and Kenny and Elizabeth Slaught.

Ultimate Dodgers Experience – two front-row seats; access to Dodgers’ Dugout Club; and parking, courtesy of Gregory and Rochelle Kushner.

California Dreaming – A stay at The Inn at Mattie’s Taven; dinner at Bar Le Cote; and a private horseback ride, courtesy of The Inn at Mattie’s Tavern, Bar Le Cote, and Vino Vaqueros.

The Hilt Estate – luncheon and wine tasting for 10 at the Barn at The Hilt Estate, courtesy of The Hilt Estate.

Seasons Eatings – four separate dining experiences at the Rosewood Miramar Beach, courtesy of Rosewood Miramar Beach.

    Special guest Chris Emmons, Flower Empower volunteer and recipient, shared her experience with the program and its importance to her, her family, and the community.

    As a surprise, Emmons invited her 92-year-old husband Bob to the stage, prompting a standing ovations.

    The following were the Flower Empower event sponsors:

    Magnolia sponsors: Apollo and Adara Alday, Tom and Elizabeth Patterson, Elizabeth and Kenny Slaught, and Southwest Airlines.

      Peony sponsors: Arlington Financial, Audrey Hillman Fisher Foundation, and Robin and Roger Himovitz.

      Rose sponsors: Colleen Barnett-Taylor and Michael Tayor, Kate and Arthur Coppola, Richard and Karen Perry, Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, Sprigeo, and Scott St. Germain.

      Daisy sponsors: Liz and Andrew Butcher, Casa Dorinda, Tim and Louise Casey, Deborah and Ivan Kallick, Montecito Bank & Trust, Nathan C. Rogers, Rogers, Sheffield & Campbell LLP, Laura and Kevin O’Connor, Melinda and Tim Werner, and Sheryl Zimmerman and Philip Sloan.

      Media sponsor: Santa Barbara Independent.

      In-kind event sponsors: Robin and Roger Himovitz, Margerum Wine Company, Rosewood Miramar Beach, and Ysidro.
       
      The event committee included Rebecca Borgioli, Sheri Dirksen, Shannon DiPadova, Erin Griffin, Lynette Hall, Robin Himovitz, Jenny Johansson, Margaret Lloyd, Amy Love, Margaret Prothero, Melinda Rogers, Crosby Slaught, David Sparer, Lisa Spink, Alison Brainard Sydney, and Serena Weddle.

      To learn more visit http://www.dreamfoundation.org/flower-empower/. To support the Dream Foundation, visit DreamFoundation.org/donate.