FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Maree Mossmer
858-205-0117
Mossmer1@aol.com
The Jewel Ball’s Curtain Call: Las Patronas Funds Major Beneficiaries at January 16 Luncheon
LA JOLLA, CA, JANUARY 16, 2008 – Las Patronas’ Jewel Ball is over in one night; its impact is felt across San Diego County all year. On January 16, at the traditional Beneficiary Luncheon held at the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club, Las Patronas distributed checks to each of the 11 organizations who had been awarded major grants (totaling $20,000 or more) from 2007 ARTRAGEOUS Jewel Ball proceeds, a record-breaking $1,151,443.
The luncheon is a true celebration for all attendees – the Las Patronas active members who work for months to ensure a profitable, enjoyable event, then countless hours reviewing grants, site visits, and allocating proceeds, as well as for the well-deserving recipients who receive funding. Attendees were welcomed by Las Patronas president Barbara Mulligan, who introduced the 2007 Jewel Ball chair, Kathryn Stephens, and her co-chairs, Lydia McNeil and Caroline Nierenberg, then it was down to business.
Las Patronas distributed checks to the following organizations:
Camp Fire USA San Diego and Imperial Counties Council
Las Patronas funded a new 12-passenger van to transport low-income children to after-school programs.
The Old Globe
Las Patronas’ gift will upgrade lighting and sound equipment in the Lowell Davies Festival Theatre.
Helen Woodward Animal Center
Las Patronas funded a van to transport instructors and animal ambassadors.
Family Health Centers of San Diego
Las Patronas funded critically needed medical equipment at the newly renovated Logan Heights facility.
Rady Children’s Hospital – San Diego
Las Patronas will fund a specialized ventilator to provide life support for infants and children in intensive care units.
The USS Midway Museum
Las Patronas’ gift will fund 50 digital audio sets and lanyards for the award-winning student audio tour on the USS Midway.
The San Diego Museum of Art
Las Patronas’ gift will enable San Diego’s oldest, largest and most visited museum to preserve thousands of valuable artworks with new compact storage units.
St. Paul’s Retirement Homes Foundation
Las Patronas funded the purchase of an Egress Alert System that will provide a secure environment for elderly residents suffering from disorientation, dementia, or Alzheimer’s disease.
University of San Diego, School of Leadership and Education Sciences
Las Patronas funded four VZ-9plus Portable Visualizer Cameras for classrooms in the university’s new building.
Urban Corps of San Diego County
Las Patronas funded a minivan that will enable Urban Corps to employ and transport more young people, giving them the opportunity to complete their education, receive paid work experience, giving them the opportunity to complete their education, receive paid work experience while learning the value of giving back to the community.
Voices for Children
Las Patronas funded technology and office furniture that will help them achieve their goal of quadrupling the number of foster children they serve.
Special Fire Grant:
UCSD Regional Burn Center
In response to the wildfires that devastated San Diego County in October 2007, Las Patronas has awarded a special grant to the UCSD Regional Burn Center for the acquisition of Total Contact, Inc. burn mask scanning equipment for the treatment of burnes to the face, neck and chest.
Prior to UCSD’s acquisition of the Total Contact equipment, burn patients had to be transported to Oregon for this treatment, incurring expense and discomfort. Installation at the UCSD Regional Burn Center will benefit not only wildfire burn victims, but will aid in the recovery of patients suffering from burns resulting from isolated accidents as well.
Las Patronas past president, Terry Cooper was also on hand to present the 2007 Spirit of Giving Award to Dunn-Edwards Paints. Las Patronas presents this award to salute the strong community partnerships critical in helping Las Patronas fulfill its mission to aid the San Diego non-profit community. “Each year, every drop of paint used to create the Jewel Ball is a result of Dunn-Edwards’ great generosity toward Las Patronas. Those little drops add up to countless gallons by the time our guests enter the ballroom,” said Cooper.
Judi Lewis, Architectural/Engineering Representative, Dunn-Edwards Paints and Randy Martin, Store Manager of the San Diego Dunn-Edwards were present to accept the award.
Each year the Beneficiary Luncheon serves as a heartfelt reminder of Las Patronas’ mission in the San Diego community. Beyond the glamour of the Jewel Ball, empowering San Diego based non-profit organizations and providing critical-need items for their continued work in our community is the true focal point of its yearlong fundraising efforts.
President, Barbara Mulligan, closed the meeting with the announcement of fourteen, newly chosen beneficiaries of the 2008 Jewel Ball, Speakeasy. “Our beneficiaries are our motivation and remain the constant thread through more than 61 years of giving,” exclaimed Mulligan.
From the proceeds of the 2008 Jewel Ball, Speakeasy, Las Patronas pledges to fund grants for these major beneficiaries:
A Reason to Survive
Burnham Institute for Medical Research
Christian Community Theatre
Diversionary Theatre
La Jolla Historical Society
La Jolla Music Society
Moores UCSD Cancer Center
Salvation Army – Senior Dining & Social Centers
San Diego Habitat for Humanity
San Diego Hospice and Palliative Care
San Diego Opera
Scripps La Jolla Heart Center
UCSD Shiley Eye Center
Vista Hill – Stein Education Center
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