The Art of Getting Home: September 24, 2010

Click here for sponsorship information.

Click here for a personal invitation.

Click here to buy tickets to the event.

It's a celebration! Mark your calendars!

The fourth annual “Art of Getting Home” celebration will be held September 24th to benefit Friendship Shelter programs. The event will be held at [seven-degrees], located at 891 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach.

“Art of Getting Home” chairs Kathleen Abel and Jill Edwards welcome their team Elizabeth Lynch, Sarah Thorne-Markman, Pamela Preston and Teddie Ray. Planning for the event kicked off in earnest on June 7 with a gathering in the garden of Kathleen and Gregg Abel. “We are excited about the event this year as we are adding some new twists that will prove to create a unique celebration. But you will need to attend to find out what surprises we have planned,” remarked Jill Edwards.

The 2010 Art of Getting Home marks the fourth consecutive year for the gala, which attracts 250-300 guests for a night of great food, lively music, and fantastic art, all in support of a great cause – helping homeless people secure temporary housing and to move to self sufficiency.

The event committee elected to start a new tradition this year of honoring individuals and groups in three key areas:

• Business community honoree [seven-degrees] is honored for its strong tradition of assisting Friendship Shelter and other area non-profits by keeping fundraising event costs low at its cutting-edge event facility in Laguna Beach.  “The Art of Getting Home has benefitted greatly from the generosity of the management at [seven-degrees], and we know we are not alone among non-profits who rely on this generosity,” remarked event co-chair Kathleen Abel.
• Community leaders Ketta & Jeb Brown are being honored for their longstanding commitment to Friendship Shelter and other non-profit organizations, as well as for Ketta’s commitment and service to educational issues in the community. “Ketta and Jeb have given so much to us, not just at Friendship Shelter, but throughout our community – particularly to our educational system,” said Edwards.
• For the first time, the event will also honor an outstanding graduate of Friendship Shelter’s programs. Friendship Shelter is pleased to honor Jaymes Gard, who completed the programs at both Friendship Shelter and Henderson House, and who served the organization as a case manager, night supervisor and  volunteer coordinator for four years. In early 2010, Jaymes was named General Manager of Laguna Beach’s legendary Penguin Café, where he has worked since his first days as Friendship Shelter resident. “Jaymes exemplifies everything we hope for our residents,” said Executive Director Dawn Price. “We are enormously proud of all that he has accomplished."

For more information please contact Mark Stenroos or Taylor Mathieson

Dinners Across Laguna 2010

This signature event, in its 18th year, is not only a very important source of funding but an opportunity for locals to learn more about the issues of homelessness and the many Friendship Shelter solutions.

Special thanks to our hosts: Kathleen & Greg Abel, Barbara & Greg McGillivray, Bruce & Mary McDonald, Elaine & Adrian Kuyper, Sue Freeman & John Hancock, Joy Dittberner & Tom Peters, Edie Tonkon, Jo & John Caldwell, Gordon Cowan, Bob & Stephanie Mister, Ronnie & Ingrid Ghenender, Judy Kibler and Dom Roguly, Marshall & Elizabeth Ininns, Ketta & Jeb Brown, Mary and Dan Shapero, Lisa & John Mansour, James Bermingham and Hearts of Montage, Marilyn & Don Davidson, Santina & Ron Davies, Paola Porrini & Richard Bisson, Amy & Greig Altieri, Wayne & Louise Wright, and Peggy & Josh Wolff, Sandy Vetter, Gayle & Jerry Verst, Marco &Alisa Cimmino, Mark Porterfield, Jane &Joe Hanauer, Ilene Glassman, Becky & Eric Wills, Kristy and Nick Cancellieri, Doug & Judy Anderson, Maya Dunne, Ank Stuyfzand, Pam Shaffer, and Barbara McMurray.

Gal pals at the Davidson-Davies-Bisson event: [l to r] Elyse Roberts, Pat Dartez, Marilyn Davidson, Joy Dittberner, Paola Porrini-Bisson, Santina Davies, Janeen Hirson.

Hosts Colin Henderson and Paola Porrini-Bisson.

This is a truly special experience – an opportunity to have a good time and contribute to a good cause.

Help us help the homeless by serving as a host for a dinner, cocktail party, wine tasting, backyard barbecue, progressive dinner with neighbors, Sunday brunch – whatever works for you.

Contact Chair Joy Dittberner or Paola Porrini-Bisson to schedule your event.

You're invited! Click here for an invitation!

Laguna's Community Thanksgiving

Friendship Shelter participated in Laguna's Annual Community Thanksgiving at Neighborhood Congregational Church. It was a great time of generous hearts and full bellies. There was an abundance of turkey donated and ready volunteers to help serve. All were thankful for the generosity of the community. We're looking forward to another warm holiday together next year. Thanks to all volunteers and those who donated food for the feast!

The Art of Getting Home Hits a Home Run

Many people came together to make this third annual fundraising event successful and oh so special – patrons, volunteers, artists, musicians, shelter residents and graduates, and friends from throughout the city. The event proved once again that broad-base of support makes all the difference and we are grateful for the participation of a wide range of residents from Laguna Beach, and beyond, who came together to celebrate compassion.

Of course, everything is possible with our wonderful co-Chairs: Jill Edwards, Kathleen Abel and Sarah Thorne-Markman, and our 20th Anniversary Trustees, who served as Honorary Chairs: John & Lisa Mansour, Keith & Judy Swayne, Keiko Sakamoto & Bill Witte.  

Special thanks to contributing artists Tristan Abel, Paul Bond, Mary Jo Carew, Joan Corman, Stephanie Cunningham and Betty Haight, Ron Dier, Jerry Wayne Downs, Michael Duggan, John Eagle, Anne England, Beverly Factor, Jacques Garnier, Jerome Gastaldi, Michael Hallinan, Michael Jacques, Kathy Jones, G. Ray Kerciu, Janet Koelle, Tom Lamb, Jacek Lazuka, Jonny Luczycki, Scott Moore, Tracey Moscaritolo, Irene Parker, Carolyn Reynolds, Lisa Schimmelpfennig, Jeff Sewell, Pat Sparkuhl, Linda Swanson, Susan Wade and Kirsten Whalen. The silent auction also featured an original painting by Henderson House resident Darryl Gober and sculptor Randy Morgan, a shelter graduate.           

An enthusiastic live auction, orchestrated by Sarah Thorne-Markman and Bob Mister, included a New York arts adventure with a stay at theGramercy Park Hotel and a private meeting with artist Ross Bleckner; an exclusive party at the Peter Blake Gallery; a custom portrait by Jorg Dubin; a stay at the Montage Beverly Hills with a private tour of LACMA and a visit with artist Ed Moses; and a week-end at the new Laguna Pearl spa retreat. 

Many thanks to our organization sponsors: Firebrand Media, Al Frank Asset Management, Cogdill & Stirling , Crevier BMW, Related California, Returning Home Foundation, Rutan & Tucker, Songstad & Randall LLP, and Wave Wealth Management.

We are grateful for these generous individual sponsorships: from Colin Henderson, Deborah & Jeffrey King, Peter & Marion Barker, Jill & Steve Edwards, Gary & Betsy Jenkins, and Rebecca & Eric Wills.

Thanks to our special friends: Don & Marilyn Davidson, Ilene Glassman, Al Roberts, Edie Tonkon, Christopher Tower & Bobby Celio, George Western & Binnie Beaumont, Wayne & Louise Wright.

Cheers to Blues Offenders for their gift of music.      

Thanks to Jim & Christine Keegan, Greg & Barbara MacGillivray and Deborah & Jeffrey King for sponsoring one resident from homelessness to a better life.

“The process of getting back into a permanent home is, in many ways, an art. Like art, it takes creativity, perseverance and time. And like art, it takes patrons – people like you who care deeply about the results and choose to support the effort"                                  Dawn Price, Executive Director  

Henderson House Mixer Event at Casa Tropicana Inn

Rick and Susan Anderson and Sandy Condello of San Clemente co-hosted a cocktail mixer at the Anderson’s home atop their Casa Tropicana Inn.  About 50 guests enjoyed a fabulous buffet generously provided by Avila’s El Ranchito Restaurant as they learned about Friendship Shelter’s Henderson House facility and the Project Ready! program that is based there.  Henderson House Community Supervisor Liza Kuney, a graduate of the program, shared an original essay depicting a day in the life of a Hendreson House resident, and current resident Darryl related his personal experiences. Many in attendance signed on to become involved with Henderson House and its programs.  A spectacular sunset over San Clemente Pier capped off a wonderful early summer evening among new friends.   We are most grateful to Rick and Susan Anderson, Sandy Condello and the Avila Family.