Dream Foundation’s 13th Annual Flower Empower Luncheon raised more than $160,000 for the program and honored local volunteers and sponsors.
The event, attended by 200 guests at Rosewood Miramar Beach, was made possible by and honored the donors, volunteers, and flower professionals who bring cheer to the Santa Barbara community with fresh flower bouquets.
The honorees were Volunteer of the Year David Sparer; Youth Volunteers of the Year Chloe, Luca and Matteo Bottorff and Natasha and Alina Stapf; Grower of the Year Alex Van Wingerden of Gallup & Stribling; and Program Sponsors Alice Tweed Tuohy Foundation, Robin & Roger Himovitz, and The Thornton Foundation.
Andrew Firestone and his daughter Anja were emcees for the Flower Empower Luncheon. (Courtesy photo)
Features of the event included a wine pull, and a silent auction offering a private tour of Bellosguardo, travel packages at El Encanto and Rosewood Miramar Beach, gift certificates and unique items from local businesses.
There also were tickets for an opportunity drawing for three prizes: an El Capitan Canyon retreat; floral jewelry designed by local artist Marilyn Harrison; and an orchid display, thanks to program florists Westerlay Orchids.
Special guests Pam and John Johnston shared their firsthand experiences with Flower Empower. When John was diagnosed with throat cancer, Jill Rode added his name to the Flower Empower delivery list.
Throughout John’s intense treatment and recovery, a bouquet of fresh flowers and homemade chocolate chip cookies were delivered to the Johnston’s home every week.
“The flowers we received each week were so powerful, I often cried,” said Pam. “Volunteers dedicate time out of their lives to create and deliver each bouquet. It is so generous and so kind. I was so thankful for this extra layer of support.”
“I didn’t realize it would have such a profound impact,” John said about receiving flowers each week. “I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart.”
Andrew Firestone and his daughter Anja served as emcees and hosted the live auction.
The auction featured a week’s Croatian escape for 10, courtesy of Jim Alexander, Paul Trevino, and John and Theresa Nahajzer; a table for six at The Ranch Table Gathering plus a signed copy of The Ranch Table cookbook, thanks to Elizabeth Poett; and a tropical excursion in Maui at the Four Seasons Resort Wailea and first-class travel courtesy of Dream Foundation sustaining partner, Alaska Airlines.
The luncheon was made possible by event sponsors, in-kind event sponsors, and the event committee.
Magnolia Sponsors: Elizabeth and Kenny Slaught, Arlington Financial Advisors, Elizabeth and Tom Patterson, and Southwest Airlines.
Peony Sponsors: Robin and Roger Himovitz, Amie Parrish of Morgan Stanley, and Colleen Barnett-Taylor and Michael Taylor.
Rose Sponsors: Kate and Arthur Coppola, Elizabeth Farnan Rodrigues, and Gerry Rodrigues.
Daisy Sponsors: Liz and Andrew Butcher, Louise and Tim Casey, Casa Dorinda, Christine and Robert Emmons, Montecito Bank & Trust, David Nygren, Laura and Kevin O’Connor, Justine Roddick and Christina Schlieske, Isabelle and Emmanuel Stapf, and Melinda and Timothy Werner.
In-kind Event Sponsors: Amy Love, Blue Blossoms, Boho Chic Dreams, Ella and Louie Florals, Emma Rose Florals, Flower Empower Volunteer Design Team, Robin and Roger Himovitz, Margaret Joan Florals, Margerum Wine Company, My Bougie Bottle, Rosewood Miramar Hotel, Toast, Truflorals, and Ysidro.
On the event committee were Michelle Avila, Rebecca Borgioli, Shannon DiPadova, Sheri Dirksen, Erin Griffin, Lynette Hall, Robin Himovitz, Margaret Lloyd, Amy Love, Guillermina Neal, Melinda Rogers, Crosby Slaught, and Serena Weddle.
Dream Foundation’s Flower Empower program 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 125,000 of these special deliveries. A recipient can be anyone in Santa Barbara in need of cheer.
To learn more about the program, visit http://www.dreamfoundation.org/flower-empower/.