Angels Foster Care celebrated its 13th annual Al Fresco Luncheon recently, raising more than $135,000 to benefit local foster infants and toddlers, as well as kinship families in the Family & Friends Together Program (FFTP).

Angels Foster Care luncheon included hearing from a resource family about their personal fostering experience. (David Cater photo)
Angels Foster Care luncheon included hearing from a resource family about their personal fostering experience. (David Cater photo)

This year’s event, held April 30 at Glen Annie Golf Club, was historically significance as it commemorated 20 years of community impact since the first Angels baby was placed into a loving Angels home in 2006. There were 120 people in attendance at the luncheon

The event featured live acoustic guitar music by Michael Holland, and attendees participated in a raffle offering prize drawings from local businesses, including Moxi Museum, J.McLaughlin Montecito, SALT Cave, Coast 2 Coast Collection, and Evolutions Day Spa.

A Golden Raffle gave participants the chance to win luxury experiences donated by The Ritz-Carlton Bacara and Rosewood Miramar Beach.

Angels Foster Care founder Meichelle Arntz and board president Lori Baur served as co-emcees. Later in the program, a current Angels resource family shared the moving, story of their personal fostering journey.

Local personality Andrew Firestone energized the crowd as the guest emcee for a successful paddle raise.

Highlighting the stakes of the organization’s mission, board member Kelley Barragan said, “Age 0-5 is a critical developmental stage which can heavily impact an individual’s health, ability to learn, and succeed in school and life.

“Angel’s Foster Care provides safe, stable and loving homes for the most vulnerable babies and toddlers in our community who have experienced abuse, neglect or abandonment.

“Angels Foster Care Parents are provided the tools and guidance from compassionate and highly skilled social workers to support and nurture these young children with the very best care,” she said.

The luncheon’s success was made possible by event partners, including the Walman-Randall Family, Bickett Family, Steve Lyons, Kayne Anderson Rudnick Wealth Advisors, Holly and Bob Murphy, CenCal Health, Cottage Health, Deckers Brands, Franzen and Franzen, and Fidelity National Title Group Santa Barbara.

The Angels Fundraising committee was co-chaired by Holly Carmody, board member and former executive director, along with KC Adornetto. The planning committee included Lori Akers, Danielle Bolster, Charlotte Cross, Annie Kimball, Summer Knight-Wahlberg, Natalie Kunes, Holly Murphy, Shannon Neels, Christy Philip, Erin Moy Vik, Penny Wolfe, Brigitte Wright, and Carey Zimmerman.

Since 2006, Angels Foster Care has placed 332 infants and toddlers in Angels Foster Care homes. Of these children, 169 have been adopted by their Angels parents, 59 were reunified with their parents, and 99 were placed with an extended family home.

Since March 2023, the Family & Friends Together Program has served 164 children and 94 kinship families.

Angels Foster Care serves Santa Barbara County infants and toddlers from birth through age three, and their siblings up to age five, matching each child with a single, well-trained resource family to ensure healthy attachment and developmental stability.

“All proceeds from the Al Fresco Luncheon directly support the care, safety, and emotional well-being of these vulnerable local children,” Angels Foster Care said.

For more about becoming an Angels resource parent, donating or volunteering, visit www.angelsfostercare.org, or call 805-884-0012.