Village Properties Realtors wrapped up a successful Back-to-School Supplies Drive for the nonprofit Teacher’s Fund with an adult pizza party and ice cream social reminiscent of grade-school days.

Drawing some 200 guests, the event took place on a Friday evening in early October, in the garden courtyard of Village Properties’ downtown Santa Barbara offices. There was plenty of food, from pizza and sliders to ice cream and cupcakes, plus live music, and other attractions including a photo booth and face-painting.

In thanking all of the attendees, sponsors and vendors for their support, Village Properties owner Renee Grubb offered special appreciation to her co-chair Brianna Johnson, the Village Properties Realtor who envisioned the inaugural drive to raise funds for classroom enrichment education in Santa Barbara.

“The idea for this campaign came from Brianna, who took the lead assisted by a very supportive committee wanting to make a difference in educating our children,” Grubb said.

Johnson “touched everything you see today,” said Grubb, who also thanked committee members Amy Abbott, Angelina Speier, Sheela Hunt, Dianne Johnson, Candace Cavalleto, Jessica Hernandez, Ivonne Arroyo and Leanne Wood for their support.

Village Properties started The Teacher’s Fund in 2002 to help out in classrooms from pre-kindergarten through high school throughout Santa Barbara County. The 2019 fundraising drive ran Sept. 16-Oct. 4 and amassed $51,500 that will be donated to help teachers buy supplies they cannot get from the district.

“Our reason for the drive was to help our teachers bring their students creative ideas to help boost their teaching efforts,” said Grubb.

Grubb also praised grant writer Dana Patterson, who has been instrumental in securing grants to help fund the hundreds of requests received from teachers throughout the year. Patterson had traveled from San Francisco to join the celebration.

Donations for school supplies for local classrooms can still be made through www.tfsuppliesdrive.com, until the end of October.

For more on Village Properties, visit villagesite.com. For more on The Teacher’s Fund, including how to donate, contact Johnson at 805-450-6078 or Brianna@villagesite.com.

— Jennifer Goddard for Village Properties.