ENCINITAS, California (Press Release) — The Women’s Auxiliary of Seacrest Village Retirement Communities held its 38th Annual Gala, “Silver Screen” at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla on Saturday, Feb. 27, with Esther Fischer and Linda Platt serving as Gala Co-Chairs. The event was attended by 350 guests and raised over $450,000 to be used for the provision of charitable care for those residents who, many due to illness or injury, have exhausted their financial resources and have nowhere else to turn for housing and healthcare.
Funds raised will also be invested in a special project: Seacrest Village TV (SVTV). SVTV will be a dedicated TV Channel that will allow every resident on the Encinitas and Rancho Bernardo campuses, regardless of physical ability, to participate in services in the synagogue, enjoy live music and theater being performed on campus, and feel the warmth and connection of these events. SVTV will help end feelings of isolation sometimes felt by residents with restricted mobility as campus life will come live-streaming right to residents on their own TVs.
Guests received a red carpet greeting, complete with the flashing cameras of Hollywood paparazzi, movie premier searchlights, and flowing champagne as they entered “Silver Screen.” They enjoyed cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and vintage Hollywood tunes provided by the incredible Wayne Foster Entertainment. As they entered the ballroom, guests were wowed by two 16’ Erte statues, candelabras overflowing with calla lilies and roses on each table, and vintage Hollywood movie posters.
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 greetings from Pam Ferris, President/CEO of Seacrest Village and Len Gregory, Chairman of the Seacrest Village Board of Trustees. Women’s Auxiliary President, Mary Epsten thanked Esther Fischer and Linda Platt for serving as Gala Co-Chairs and having created such a blockbuster event.
Guests enjoyed watching a video about the life-changing work of Seacrest Village featuring interviews with Ferris, Gregory, residents, and family members of residents: Shirley Pidgeon, Charles Rosen, and Scott Silverman. The video outlined the Fund-a-Need Project to create SVTV and showed how vital this new technology will be to helping all of our residents feel connected and supported. The video concluded with Shirley Pidgeon asking everyone to join her and Harold in “reaching deep and committing yourselves to help Seacrest Village now and for the future”.
The evening continued with an exciting live auction conducted by Mark Drilling of Stokes Auction Group. A bidding frenzy occurred over the first item, a Fender acoustic guitar signed by Paul Simon. Additional items included a Private Tour and Set Visit to the hit TV show, Modern Family, and Dinner Party for 10 in the Private Wine Room of Pamplemousse Grille.
The auction concluded with Dan Cohen describing the great benefit that SVTV will have on the lives of residents at Seacrest Village. Irwin Jacobs gave his blessing to the project, “This year, we are especially pleased to support Seacrest in its goal to implement new technology to improve the lives of residents. We believe deeply that technology can be used to create a more connected and meaningful life and we want this to be a reality for the residents at Seacrest.” Mark Drilling then conducted the Fund-A-Need portion and guests supported enthusiastically by raising their bid numbers.
Guests dined on delicious entrées of grilled filet of beef, macadamia nut-encrusted salmon or sweet corn risotto. Following dinner, Cohen thanked guests and announced the goal was far surpassed to make SVTV a reality and to provide additional funds for charitable care. Guests enjoyed dessert and then danced 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 at Seacrest Village Retirement Communities.
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Preceding provided by Seacrest Village Retirement Communities