ENCINITAS, California (Press Release) – Seacrest Foundation held the 39th Annual Women’s Auxiliary Gala, “Seacrest Vintage 2017” at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla on Saturday, February 25th with Cindy & Larry Bloch serving as Gala Chairs. The event was attended by 350 guests and raised $550,000. All proceeds raised will support the Seacrest Village Retirement Communities’ Resident Assistance Fund, which provides charitable care for those residents who are most in need. The number of seniors requiring help to cover the cost of their food, shelter and care is astounding and growing exponentially. This year alone Seacrest will provide almost $2.5 million in charitable care.
As guests entered the vineyard-themed evening, they were ushered into the “Tasting Room” where they were offered several varietals of wine, champagne, cocktails, hors d’ouevres, and could enjoy a unique wine tasting experience. There were two tasting stations staffed by “sommeliers” wearing tastevins offering wines generously donated by Milagro Farm Winery in Ramona, Oak Mountain Winery, Hope Family Vineyards, Dellatorri, Magistrate Wines, and Criterion Cellars. Wine barrels, cheese wheels, a vintage wine press, wine crates and grapes set the mood and added to the magic of the night “in the vineyard.” A quartet from Wayne Foster Entertainment added to the fun and lively vibe. As they entered the ballroom, guests were wowed by an 18’ tall tree creating a beautiful canopy over the stage and the dance floor, an arbor with hanging grape vines and lights over the bar, vintage sofas and chairs creating comfortable and elegant moments for gathering.
The evening commenced with a warm welcome by Dan Cohen, Master of Ceremonies and Emmy Award winning Morning Anchor of CBS News 8 followed by introductions of Len Gregory, Chairman of the Seacrest Village Board of Trustees and Pam Ferris, President/CEO of Seacrest Village, Robert Haimsohn, President of the Board of Seacrest Foundation and Robin Israel Chief Foundation Officer Seacrest Foundation. Women’s Auxiliary President, Mary Epsten thanked Cindy & Larry Bloch for serving as Gala Chairs and working so tirelessly to support the charitable care mission.
The program continued with an exciting live auction conducted by Mark Drilling of Stokes Auction Group. A bidding frenzy took place and over $30,000 was raised from the following Live Auction items: 6 Collectors bottles of 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Red Stitch Wine, dinner for 10 with wine pairings at Pamplemousse Grille, a 3-day stay at the award-winning Cal-A-Vie Health Spa, and an unbelievable weekend getaway in New York with tickets to see Broadway’s hit musical, Hamilton.
Cindy & Larry Bloch then took the stage and spoke about the critical need to provide charitable care, “A single, catastrophic health crisis, or outliving ones resources, with no family to rely on for support, could easily force a frail or elderly citizen to have to choose between food and rent.” Guests viewed a video portraying families whose lives were reformed by the support provided by the Seacrest Village Resident Assistance Fund. The auctioneer then began the Fund-a-Need portion of the night and promptly three lead gifts were offered by Joyce & Jere Oren, Lee & Frank Goldberg, and Joan & Irwin Jacobs.
Guests dined on delicious farm-to-table entrées of grilled filet of beef, maple dijon glazed salmon or vegetarian artichoke ravioli with wine pairings. Following dinner, Cohen thanked guests and announced the goal for the night was far surpassed with a total of nearly $550,000 raised for the event. Guests enjoyed dessert while mingling under trees and twinkle lights: Chocolate Pot De Crème, Caramel Apple Crumble, a make your own s’mores bar, and popcorn bar.
This year the organization offered special discounted pricing for Emerging Leaders, attendees 40 and under, including an all new after party in the Hyatt’s newly renovated Drift Lounge. There were nearly 60 Emerging Leaders in attendance, many of them first time contributors to Seacrest Foundation. The dance floor was packed with guests of all generations dancing the night away to Wayne Foster Entertainment. It was truly an evening to remember filled with friends, fine food and funds raised dedicated to the residents of Seacrest Village Retirement Communities.
Mary Epsten, Seacrest Foundation Board Member and Women’s Auxiliary President, and Cindy Bloch, who is also a Seacrest Foundation Board Member, along with husband Larry Bloch had a dedicated Steering Committee in place to make this event a success. Many thanks go to Sherri Adler, Judy Belinsky, Jessica Chodorow, Liz Coden, Suzanne Cohen, Rebecca Collopy, Mary Epsten, Emily Einhorn, Esther Fischer, Nancy Gordon, Merrill Haimsohn, Tammy Hershfield, Lisa Levine, Linda Otchis, Roselyn Pappelbaum, Monica Perlman, Linda Platt, Lori Polin, Isabel Wasserman, and Sharon Wax.
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Preceding provided by Seacrest Village Retirement Communities