Dinners Across Laguna 2012!

Host a Dinner for Friendship

Dinners Across Laguna and Beyond has been a successful fundraiser for Friendship Shelter since 1994, bringing friends together to support a great cause. The concept is simple: host your friends in your home, with proceeds going to support our work at Friendship Shelter.  Hosts are critical to the success of this event.  It’s an opportunity to enjoy new and old friendships while making a significant contribution. We will provide you with invitations and staff support as needed. We're here to help you help us!

To host a dinner please contact Taylor (949) 494-6928 x16 or tmathieson@friendshipshelter.org.

Click here for a "How to Host" preview guide.

A big THANK YOU to our annual kick-off hosts: Kathleen and Gregg Abel!

Board member, Josh Wolff and his wife Peggy enjoy the company of fellow supporters at the home of the Abels.

Thanks for giving!

Thanks to Laguna Beach locals and helpful volunteers from beyond for another successful and delicious community potluck on Thanksgiving Day!

"Come Together: The Art of Getting Home" set a new record!

The Beatles-themed event, dubbed "Come Together," was chaired by Friendship Shelter board member Becky Wills and shelter volunteer Kristi Cancellieri, who expanded the organization's traditional "Art of Getting Home" theme to add numerous silent and live auction offerings. Despite a chilly night, the record-breaking crowd reveled to the pre-dinner entertainment of musician Jason Feddy as guests competed to win auction items.

The Edwards family came to support their mother, Jill Edwards, former event chair and community leader honoree. Jason Feddy provides acoustics for cocktail hour.

from left: Board Member, Marshall Ininns (right) with the Fischbecks who donated their Mexico home as a live auction item.

Board Member, Christopher Tower (right) with pal and long-time Friendship supporter Nick Greenko.

A special thanks to Larissa Rehder from Inviting Occasion for her unique centerpieces.

from left: Our dear friends Sue Freeman and John Hancock pose next to Donavon Frankenreiter signed surfboard, a special live auction item

Board member John Stumpf with his lovely wife Leslie.

Outstanding community leader honoree, Kathleen Abel with her son and donating artist, Tristan Abel.

Event chairs Kristi Cancellieri and Becky Wills surround Friendship Shelter's Executive Director, Dawn Price with support.

Read more and see pictures here.

Asada Event to Benefit Friendship Shelter was a success!

Thanks to Asada and One World One Ocean Foundation for partnering to benefit Friendship Shelter. New to Coast Highway, Asada opened it's doors to welcome friends of One World One Ocean Foundation, Friendship Shelter, and Laguna Beach Community Foundation to share sustainable seafood in a hip and inviting restaraunt atmosphere.

An extra special thanks to Greg and Barbara MacGillivray (above) from One World One Ocean Foundation.

Our second "Stories of Home" sold out!

Friendship Shelter presented its second "Stories of Home" event on Thursday, June 16th at [seven-degrees]. This year’s performance added new elements: a variety of actors, some from the local scene, plus displays of art pieces created by members of the Artists’ Collective, a small group of professional artists who are current or past residents of Friendship Shelter, and whose talents are being nurtured by the organization. 

Actors included Linda Gehringer, Richard Burgi, Jonelle Allen, and Melissa Denton joined by recognizable locals Jason Farris, Rev. B.J. Beu, and Mark Dressler. Friendship Shelter's own Mark Miller performed and directed the program.

Jonelle Allen, Richard Burgi, and Friendship Shelter supporter Lisa Mansour will read at the event.

 “The combination of the written word with the immediacy of an actor’s visceral, live interpretation is a powerful performance that brings a story to life,” said Dawn Price, executive director of Friendship Shelter. “We’re excited to be presenting this event for the second year and we hope that all arts lovers will come see what we’ve put together.

Read more in the Patch. Read more in the Coastline.

Friendship Shelter participated in Walk United. Join us next year!

Friendship Shelter staff and volunteers had a great time walking united with other Orange County non-profits, companies, and residents! Next year we plan to triple our participation so stay tuned.

Dinners Across Laguna and Beyond 2011

Thanks to our gracious hosts thus far, including Kathleen & Gregg Abel, Barbara & Greg MacGillivray, Keiko Sakamoto & Bill Witte, Lizanne & Matthew Witte, Mary Kate & Kirk Saunders, Elaine & Adrian Kuyper, Colin Henderson, Stephanie & Bob Mister, Damir Roguly & Judith Kibler, Marshall & Elizabeth Ininns, Ketta and Jeb Brown, Stuart Byer and Jeffrey Rehm, Sue Freeman & John Hancock, Joy Dittberner, Paola Porrini-Bisson, Edie Tonkon, Marilyn Davidson, Jo Caldwell, Ron & Santina Davies, John & Leslie Stumpf, Doug & Judy Anderson, Gary & Elizabeth Jenkins, Athol & Sue Dickson, and Barbara & Ken McMurray.

Local supporters host dinners and specialty events in their homes to benefit Friendship Shelter. These dinners have included intimate gatherings, disco dance parties, backyard barbecues, community luaus and italian feasts. Each host has their own personal spin on their event. Have your friends over while benefitting Friendship Shelter!

To host a dinner or event in the name of Friendship, or if you’d like to be invited to one of these events please contact Taylor Mathieson tmathieson@friendshipshelter.org.

From the Sakamoto/ Witte dinner:

(left)Teen Korps Sage Hill performers: Sammy Witte, Sanna Taskinen, and James Stomber

(right) guests Andra Broekelschen, Rosemary Ward, Maria Huang, and Edie Tonkon

Artists' Collective: February 2011

Friendship Shelter encourages self-sufficiency of artistic graduates with a second Artists' Collective showcasing artwork from Terrel Anansi, Darryl Gober, Randy Morgan, and Kathleen Saxon. Friendship Shelter staff, residents, and supporters gathered for a night of visual and performance art.

above, right: Former resident and staff member, Terrel Anansi smiles with his favorite pieces.

above, left: Henderson House resident Randy Morgan explains the process of his iron artistry

,above, right: Friendship Shelter artist graduates with supporter Kristy Melita, and artist mentor Karen Redding.

above, left: Henderson House resident, Eric P. plays for for the first time in years.

above, right: Staff members Analisa Andrus, Beth Chapman, Rick Scott listen with therapist Ed Kauffman