ENCINITAS, California (Press Release) –Seacrest Foundation held the Women’s Auxiliary Diamond Anniversary Gala at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla on Saturday, June 2 celebrating 75 years of Seacrest Village Retirement Communities being a lifeline in our community. Co-Chaired by Anne Nagorner & Suzi Feldman the evening honored their parents, Lee & Frank Goldberg. The Gala was attended by 575 guests and raised over $3 Million. All proceeds raised will support the Seacrest Village Retirement Communities’ Resident Assistance Fund, which provides charitable care for those 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.
The cocktail hour featured a champagne reception including an ice luge serving martinis and delicious appetizers including tray passed selections of Watermelon Tomato Gazpacho, Baja Local White Fish Ceviche Plantain Tart and Smoked Trout with Garlic Flower Served in a Sesame Cone as well as display stations with a Pan Seared Edamame Pot Sticker, a variety of Japengo’s Award Winning Kosher Sushi Rolls and a lamb action station as well as many more appetizers. A quartet from de Bois Entertainment added to the fun and lively vibe. As they entered the ballroom, guests were met with breath-taking décor including trios of beaded columns, tall orchid and hydrangea floral arrangements with hanging crystals, gorgeous tables with turquoise satin and sequined white table cloths.
Guests dined on delicious entrées of sliced beef tenderloin with soy braised shitake mushrooms, achiote & miso basted local sea bass and vegetarian beluga lentil stuffed sweet potato. Later in the evening, guests enjoyed dessert while mingling: lemon curd martini with blueberry coulis garnished with whipped cream, dark chocolate pot du crème served in chocolate shortbread tart shell, chocolate squares and white chocolate swirl served on a chocolate painted plate, chocolate covered strawberries with silver and blue luster and sugar dusting, and nitrogen ice cream.
The evening continued with a warm welcome by Dan Cohen, Master of Ceremonies and Emmy Award winning Morning Anchor of CBS News 8 followed by introductions of the Seacrest Foundation and Seacrest Village Boards and to Robert Haimsohn, Seacrest Foundation President and Pam Ferris, Seacrest Village President/CEO and Jon Halberg, Chair of the Board of Seacrest Village. Women’s Auxiliary President, Mary Epsten thanked Anne Nagorner & Suzi Feldman for serving as Gala Co-Chairs and for putting their hearts into the Diamond Anniversary Gala. Epsten made special note to thank Robin Israel, Chief Foundation Officer of Seacrest Foundation for her leadership and vision which led to this tremendous accomplishment.
The program continued with an exciting live auction conducted by Jeff Stokes of Stokes Auction Group. A bidding frenzy took place and over $25,000 was raised from the following Live Auction items: Dinner for 10 with wine pairings at Pamplemousse Grille, a Diamonds and Dinner package for a date night out to Catania, one of Zagat’s “15 Hottest New Restaurants Around the U.S.” and a beautiful, one-of-a kind Diamond Locket necklace by Paula Rosen with pave diamonds on the clasp, a Diamonds, Dinner, and a Show package including tickets to see Frankie Valli at Humphreys by the Bay and a gorgeous ALOR Jewelry Black Label Collection Necklace featuring white gold, black diamonds, and white diamonds, and an unbelievable weekend getaway in New York with tickets to see Pretty Woman the Musical on Broadway.
An incredible video portrayed the history of the Hebrew Homes and those who led the way to this grand celebration. You could hear a pin drop as 575 guests were mesmerized while watching. The video concluded as Honorees Lee & Frank Goldberg announced a generous $1 million match and asked those in the room to join them. Joan & Irwin Jacobs along with Norma & Werner Dreifuss took the lead and raised their paddles which led the evening to conclude with tremendous success.
Seacrest Foundation offered special discounted pricing of $75 for Rising Leaders, attendees 40 and under to commemorate 75 years of Seacrest Retirement Village Communities being a lifeline in our community. There were over 60 Rising 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 de Bois Entertainment’s. It was truly an evening to remember filled with friends, fine food and funds raised dedicated to the residents of Seacrest Village Retirement Communities.
As the evening concluded, Lee & Frank Goldberg along with Women’s Auxiliary President, Mary Epsten took the stage. Mary thanked the Goldbergs for everything they have done for Seacrest Foundation and the residents of Seacrest Village. Lee & Frank Goldberg then spoke about the importance of giving back and how meaningful Seacrest Village is to them and how much they love the organization. Epsten announced that with the generosity of the 75th Anniversary Visionaries (sponsors and underwriters at the $18,000 level and above), along with everyone in the room who contributed to the Gala at the event, over $3 Million was raised to provide for those who have nowhere else to turn.
A dedicated Steering Committee made this evening a success. Many thanks to Rusti Bartell, Melissa Bartell, Judy Belinsky, Cindy Bloch, Marilynn Boesky, Jessica Chodorow, Liz Coden, Suzi Cohen, Dalia Cohen, Esther Fischer, Jean Gaylis, Sylvia Geffen, Merrill Haimsohn, Lisa Levine, Shelle Orlansky, Linda Otchis, Roz Pappelbaum, Stacy Parselany, Monica Perlman, Shirley Pidgeon, Lori Polin, Sharon Wax, Helene Ziman, Alana Ziman and Women’s Auxiliary President, Mary Epsten.
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Preceding provided by Seacrest Village Retirement Communities