The Santa Barbara Rescue Mission was the “first out of the gate” with its Kentucky Derby-themed Back to the Bayou event, held virtually this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Usually held outdoors at the Rancho Dos Pueblos in Goleta, the organization pivoted to a virtual event — filmed at the ranch — while still preserving the key components of the annual fundraiser.
All proceeds will benefit the Santa Barbara Rescue Mission’s Homeless Guest Services and its state-certified, 12-month residential drug and alcohol treatment program.
The fun started a week before the Oct. 3 event when supporters could bid at the online Silent Auction Boutique. Then, on event day, guests were treated to a gourmet dinner, a bottle of wine, and a floral arrangement or flowers delivered to 200 people by Women’s Auxiliary member volunteers.
The auxiliary has hosted and organized the event for 19 years. The auxiliary president is Kim Schuck, and the SBRM board chair is Joyce McCullough. The event co-chairs were Susan Hughes, Kim Mullen and Joan Wimberly.
Dubbed “Dinner on the Infield,” the menu by Lorraine Lim Catering included “Winner’s Circle Appetizers” of shrimp cocktail with Lim’s special Creole sauce and Southern-style deviled eggs. The hand-packed dinner also included a grilled peach, heirloom tomato and arugula salad, a pulled pork sandwich, vegetables, and cornbread with jalapenos, as well as a chocolate walnut pie for dessert.
While enjoying their food and wine at home or at a watch party, attendees could enjoy video links to music by The Idiomatiques. The jockey, or host of a watch party, who raised the most money won gift certificates to local restaurants.
Santa Barbara Rescue Mission President Rolf Geyling thanked the supporters for their generosity and provided an update on what’s happening at the Santa Barbara Rescue Mission.
He then presented Santa Barbara Police Chief Lori Luhnow with the Leni Fe Bland Award for her community leadership and her strategic partnership with the SBRM in protecting the vulnerable and providing opportunities for recovery. Santa Barbara County District Attorney Joyce Dudley introduced honoree Luhnow.
Luhnow was sworn in as the city’s police chief in July 2016. She leads more than 140 sworn officers and 90 civilians. Before her appointment in Santa Barbara, she served for 27 years with the San Diego Police Department. She promotes a community policing style of leadership that reinforces collaboration, partnerships, and treating people with dignity and respect.
Guests also heard a success story from one of the graduates of the Santa Barbara Rescue Mission’s treatment program. Melissa shared her story in a video.
Another graduate, Josh, said in his graduation speech: “My new life blows my mind on a daily basis. Whether you are a donor, a board member or staff, you probably don’t fully understand the miracle you are facilitating. I’m here to tell you all that what you are doing saves lives. … I am forever in your debt, and I will not let the opportunity you’ve offered me be wasted.”
Society commentator and Montecito Journal columnist Richard Mineards served as the hat judge.
“Having judged a mélange of magnificent millinery at the Santa Barbara Polo Club annually for 13 years, it was a great pleasure to choose from the torrent of tony tete toppers for the Bayou Derby,” he said. “My choice for Best Hat goes to Pamela Dillman Haskell. My vote for most original goes to Amy Brex.”
Sponsors at the “Secretariat” level included Hank and Maureen Bowis, Cottage Health, David and Anna Grotenhuis, Cal and Phyllis Marble, Montecito Bank & Trust, Suzi Ryan, Henry and Dundie Schulte, Gary Simpson, Ron and Terry Foil, and Karl and Julie Willig. “Seabiscuit”-level sponsors included Chris and Lisa Call, Diane Dodds and David Reichert, Frank Schipper Construction, Rolf Geyling, Kirk and Pamela Gilberts, HUB International, Diana Jessup-Lee, Bob and Janet Kates, Ian and Joyce Ritchie, and Frank and Pat Thomas. There was a “Seattle Slew” of sponsors, as well as many contributors to the silent auction.
As part of the fundraiser, a group of supporters offered to match gifts totaling up to $50,000. Before the virtual event went live, that full amount was donated.
“After hearing that our community came together to raise $50,000, another generous donor of the Santa Barbara Rescue Mission decided to up the challenge! They offered to match every dollar up to $100,000,” said Rebecca Weber, the organization’s director of communications and constituent relations.
The deadline for the second matching opportunity is Thursday.
Click here for more information about the Santa Barbara Rescue Mission, or contact Weber at rweber@sbrm.org or 805.966.1316 x105.
— Noozhawk contributing writer Rochelle Rose can be reached at rrose@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkSociety, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Become a fan of Noozhawk on Facebook.
