Santa Barbara County is blessed with a diversity of vital nonprofit organizations dedicated to improving the health, well-being, growth, civic leadership and compassion of our community.
Charitable giving and philanthropy are part of our identity, which is why Noozhawk is proud to support the nonprofit community through sponsoring local community organizations and events.
To showcase our support as a sponsor of the 25th Annual Festival of Hearts, Noozhawk spoke with Kathryn Westland, Executive Director of the Friendship Center to learn more about their upcoming event.
Question: What is the name and date of your event?
Answer: Our 25th Annual Festival of Hearts will take place on Saturday, February 3rd at 12 pm.
Q: What is the mission, goal, and/or theme of this occasion?
A: The Festival of Hearts is Friendship Center’s premiere annual event to raise funds for purposeful, dignified activity programs for seniors and adults living with dementia. This year’s silver jubilee celebration will honor all caregivers, past and present, who have supported an aging loved one through their final voyage.
Raising funds to support our commitment to never turning someone in need away due to their inability to pay means that caregivers can receive much needed respite, despite financial constraints. That is the ultimate way we can show our appreciation for the often unthanked family caregivers, and we hope the Santa Barbara community helps us express this gratitude in a big way!
Q: Have you held this event before?
A: Yes, this is an annual event and this year we are celebrating our Silver Jubilee anniversary.
Q: Tell us some more details about your celebration?
A: This year’s celebration by the sea will be held at the picturesque Rosewood Miramar Beach, just steps away from Friendship Center. Guests will immerse themselves in the seaside-elegance theme, promising a delightful blend of music, delectable cuisine, touching guest speakers and the warm camaraderie of our caring coastal community. We invite guests to don their favorite nautical attire—whether sailor stripes, seaside elegance, or a touch of silver—as we honor the 25th anniversary of this cherished event.
A memorable highlight of our fundraiser is the Heart-Art silent auction. Local artists transform blank paper mache hearts into exquisite pieces of art, raising funds to support Friendship Center’s commitment to ensuring no one in need is turned away due to an inability to pay.
At Friendship Center, we stand as a beacon of support for the community, offering a unique haven for older adults, especially those living with dementia. As the sole provider of low-cost, high-quality services, we take pride in being an essential resource, ensuring that seniors and their caregivers have access to vital programs promoting well-being and joy.
Imagine us as a sturdy vessel sailing the seas of compassionate care, with our dedicated team as the crew, navigating the challenges that come with aging and cognitive conditions. Our commitment extends beyond providing essential services; we create a close-knit crew of support, fostering a sense of community, understanding, and shared experiences. It’s this crew, bound by a common goal of enhancing the lives of our members, that makes Friendship Center an indispensable presence in our community. Together, we sail towards a future where aging is embraced with dignity, warmth, and a supportive network of fellow sailors.
Q: How do people get involved with your event? (volunteer, attend, etc.) – If your event includes ticket sales, please note the price and include a link to purchase tickets.
A: You can purchase tickets or make an online donation HERE.
Individual tickets to the event are $175.
Q: Is this a fundraising affair? If so, how will the funds raised help your organization?
A: Yes, the funds raised ensure that seniors and adults living with dementia can benefit from the compassionate care programs, while also offering their caregivers much-needed respite. Your support facilitates Friendship Center’s commitment to never turning someone in need away due to their inability to pay.
Q: Who is sponsoring your event, and why is their support important?
A: We are grateful to our individual and business sponsors which include: Thomas & Nancy Crawford, Sintija Kemezys Felder, William & Jocelyne Meeker, Katina Zaninovich, CenCal Health, Dr David & Patty Medina, Mark & Nicole Romasanta, Cynder Sinclair & Dennis Forster, Linda S. Yawitz and other generous BIG hearted supporters!
Q: Do you work with an Event Planner? If not, who are the key people who make it all happen?
A: This year we have had the good fortune of event coordination efforts being supported by Cheryll Puyot. Additionally, our hardworking event committee of volunteers Sue Adams, Nathan Bero, Erica Fichter, Patricia Forgey, Jeffrey Krutzsch, Greta Liedke, Kathy Marden, Marianne Meeker Cherkas, Monica Vidger-Trent and Shianne Motter, as well as Friendship Center’s committed staff, are bringing the vision for a redesigned celebration that still honors its long history to life!
Q: Does your organization have any other upcoming events this year?
A: In addition to our Festival of Hearts happening every February, Friendship Center’s fundraising event calendar includes a fun and delicious evening event onsite at our beautiful property in the fall. Throughout the year, we also have a number of events to honor our senior members and their families, and we always welcome members of the community to join us!
Q: What are you planning as a post-event follow up?
A: After this event we go to work! What’s remarkable about supporting a local, community based organization is that your support can immediately translate into action. So, the funds we raise and support we receive from this event will enable us to expand our program capacity and scope of services.
As the sole provider of low-cost, high-quality respite for dementia caregivers in our community, Friendship Center takes the role of responding to the needs of our seniors and caregivers very seriously. Addressing those needs by offering innovative programs that promote well-being, joy, multi-level support and peace of mind is our post-event plan and we are eager to see how this year’s Festival of Hearts will help us propel forward even more.
To attend or learn more about the 25th Annual Festival of Hearts click HERE.
If you would like to apply for Noozhawk’s 50/50 Match Sponsorship Program for your upcoming nonprofit event please click HERE to view our sponsorship application. The deadline for consideration is 30-45 days prior to the event. You can also contact our sales team at sales@noozhawk.com.