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 event, Plaza Palooza, Michael Towbes Library Plaza Opening, Noozhawk spoke with Lauren Trujillo, Executive Director at Santa Barbara Library Foundation to learn more about their event.
Question: What is the name and date of your event?
Answer: Plaza Palooza, Michael Towbes Library Plaza Opening will be on November 3rd from 12-4pM.
Q: What is the mission, goal, and/or theme of this occasion?
A: The Santa Barbara Public Library Foundation is proud to announce the highly anticipated grand opening of the Michael Towbes Library Plaza with Plaza Palooza on Sunday, November 3, 2024, from 12:00 to 4:00 PM.
The public is invited to celebrate an exciting day filled with community activities, family-friendly events, music, cultural performances, and more at the Michael Towbes Library Plaza Opening, happening on Sunday, November 3, 2024, from 12:00 to 4:00 PM.
Q: Have you held this event before?
A: No, this is the first time we are hosting the Michael Towbes Library Plaza Opening with Plaza Palooza. It’s a brand-new event to celebrate the completion of the plaza and to bring the community together through arts, culture, and family-friendly activities. We’re excited to create this special experience for everyone!
Q: Tell us some more details about your celebration?
A: The event kicks off with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, followed by captivating performances from cherished local groups, including CAMA, State Street Ballet Professional Track, Flamenco Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara Symphony, Franklin Elementary School Folklorico Academy, and many more!
Anapamu Street will be closed to traffic between State and Anacapa Streets, transforming into a lively pedestrian plaza with nonprofit booths offering engaging activities for all ages.
Over 50 local nonprofits such as Girls Inc., MOXI, Doctors Without Walls, Vistas Lifelong Learning, and many more will offer interactive booths, providing attendees with the chance to learn about their work and participate in engaging activities for all ages.
From health and wellness to arts, education, and environmental conservation, these nonprofits represent the vibrant heart of our community, working together to create a better future for Santa Barbara.
In addition, visitors can enjoy a Friends of the Library Book Sale, Library tours, food trucks, face painting, and film screenings in the Faulkner Gallery.
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: We need enthusiastic volunteers to help make Plaza Palooza a success on Sunday, November 3, 2024! From setup to guest assistance and activity support, your time and energy will ensure a smooth and fun experience for everyone.
Sign up today to be part of this exciting community celebration!
Q: Is this a fundraising affair? If so, how will the funds raised help your organization?
A: No, this is a free community event, but it’s the perfect opportunity to support the Library and the activities that can now thrive in the new space. Funds raised will help the Santa Barbara Public Library Foundation in its mission to support the long-term health and sustainability of the Library through public-private partnerships.
Your contributions will enable us to enhance library programs, expand community services, and maintain the new Library Plaza as a vibrant space for everyone! Donate here.
Q: Who is sponsoring your event, and why is their support important?
A: Sponsorship for Plaza Palooza allows local businesses and individuals to directly support a beloved community institution while we celebrate this grand community moment. Sponsors help us create a vibrant and memorable event, ensuring a wide range of activities, performances, and experiences for all attendees.
Sponsors include:
Presenting Sponsors – Towbes Group and Montecito Bank & Trust
Community Partners – Santa Barbara Bowl, Zegar Family Foundation, Chumash Foundation, Cox Communications, Independent
Library Advocates – Noozhawk, Mission Wealth, Bwlla Vista
Library Supporters – Linda Lorenzen, Anne Towbes, Elizabeth and Kenny Slaught, UCSB Arts and Lectures, Arcadia Landscape Architects, Fund for Santa Barbara
Q: Do you work with an Event Planner? If not, who are the key people who make it all happen?
A: Yes, we have been working with Judi Weisbart and Elly Iverson and are incredibly grateful for their work. In addition, we thank all of our Michael Towbes Library Plaza Campaign Volunteers who helped raise the $5 million for the Michael Towbes Library Plaza project and an additional $1 million Plaza Endowment.
Campaign Cabinet
Janet Garufis Campaign Co-chair, Jim Jackson Campaign Co-chair,
Anna Alldredge, Mark Asman, Bob Bason, Jessica Cadiente, Susan Case, Zora Charles, Marni Cooney, Emily Engel, Christie Glanville, Anna Grotenhuis, Anne Howard, Roy Martinez, Anne Towbes, Martha Townsend, Leslie Zemeckis.
Communication & Cultivation Committee
Chair – Anna Alldredge
Laura Capps, Erik Davis, Hannah-Beth Jackson, Gwyn Lurie-Firestein, Kendall Pata
Major Gifts Committee
Chair – Anna Alldredge
Marni Cooney, Emily Engel, Roy Martinez, David McFadden, Martha Townsend
Community Gifts Committee
Chairs – Jennifer Zacharias and Boyd Bailey
Ashleigh Davis, Leslie Dinaberg, Geneva Ives, Kelly Martin, Hannah Rael, Willie Simpson, and Sheridan Taphorn
Library Plaza Honorary Committee
Peter MacDougall – Honorary Committee Co-chair
Anne Towbes – Honorary Committee Co-chair
Carol and Bob Bason, Sharon and David Bradford, Laura Capps, Lois Capps, Susan and Claude Case, Zora and Les Charles, Hal Conklin, Jelinda and Barry DeVorzon, Christine and Robert Emmons, Christie and John Glanville, Anna Grotenhuis, Susan and Gary Gulbransen, Judith Hopkinson, Joan and Palmer Jackson, Peter and Gerd Jordano, Herbert Kendall, Jill and Neil Levinson, Kandy Luria-Budgor, Patty and John MacFarlane, Irene Macias, Mercedes Millington and Jack C. Mithun, Natalie Orfalea, Joanne and Brian Rapp, Mary and John Romo, Ken and Jo Saxon, Maryan Schall, Elizabeth and Kenny Slaught, Diane Sullivan, Lynne Tahmisian, Carrie Towbes, Maureen White, Barbara Hauter Woodward, John C. Woodward.
Santa Barbara Public Library Foundation Board
Anna Alldredge, President, Raissa Smorol, Vice President, Brooke McDermott, Treasurer, Peter Ginsberg, Secretary, Paloma Arnold, Alan Brumberger, Susan Case, Belma Michael Johnson, Irene Kelly, David McFadden.
Emeritus Board – Bob Bason, Elizabeth Bowman, Zora Charles, Dianne Duva, Emily Engel, Eric Friedman, Bob Fulmer, Anne Howard, Jim Jackson, Linda Lorenzen, Pam Maines, Roy Martinez, Nancy Martz, Art Merovick, Myra Nicholas, Kendall Pata, Stephanie Riordan, Jim Sterne, Martha Townsend, Cami Ferris-Wong.
Q: Does your organization have any other upcoming events this year?
A: Yes, the Santa Barbara Public Library has several exciting upcoming events this year. Following the Michael Towbes Library Plaza Opening on November 3, 2024, the Library will host a vibrant family market, Mercado Raíces y Sueños, on Saturday, November 9, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the Michael Towbes Library Plaza.
This event will celebrate Hispanic creativity and culture, featuring entrepreneurs of all ages selling artisanal, hand-made items in partnership with the Youth Makers Market.
Experience Hispanic traditions with a special presentation from Oaxacreations, showcasing colorful oversized puppets and professional dancers. Everyone is invited to make a “corona de flores” (crown of flowers) with the help of artist Griselda Villalpando, along with additional arts and crafts provided by staff from the Santa Barbara Museum of Art.
In addition, there will be a local author fair on the new plaza in December. Mark your calendar and bring the whole family for a day of fun, creativity, and cultural celebration!
Q: What are you planning as a post-event follow up?
A: Send Thank -You’s: We will express our gratitude to sponsors, volunteers, and attendees who contributed to the event and Michael Towbes Library Success.
Gather Feedback: We will distribute a survey to participants and attendees to gather feedback on their experiences, which will help us improve future events.
Share Event Highlights: We’ll create a recap of the event, including photos and testimonials, to share through our website, social media, and newsletters.
Promote Upcoming Events: In our follow-up communications, we will highlight upcoming events at the Library to keep the community engaged and informed.
Evaluate Success: Our team will review the event’s goals and outcomes to assess its impact and identify areas for improvement in future planning.
To attend or learn more about Palaza Palooza, 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.