Hillside Sunset Evening Fundraiser Includes Live Auction and Gourmet Meal | Good for Santa Barbara

Hillside’s 18th Annual Sunset Party – Rooted in Strength, Growing in Opportunity – will be held from 4:30-8 p.m. on Saturday, May 21 at the Rockwood Santa Barbara Woman’s Club, 670 Mission Canyon Road. Proceeds from the event benefit the 59 people living with intellectual and developmental disabilities, who reside at Hillside on Veronica Springs Road in Santa Barbara.

The annual fundraiser includes the presentation of Hillside’s Person of Purpose award, which this year goes to Bob and Patty Bryant. The Bryants support many nonprofits in Santa Barbara, including the Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse (CADA). In 2001, they helped CADA open the Daniel Bryant Youth and Family Center.

For the 18th year, Bryant & Sons, Ltd., a family-owned jewelry store, contributed to the cost of invitations to the Sunset Soirée.

“Our thanks to the Bryants for your continued generosity to Hillside and the residents; we are grateful to be among the nonprofits you support,” said Michael Rassler, President and CEO of Hillside.

Hillside will also honor one of its own, Martin Jimenez, Director of Dietetics, who has prepared and served meals for residents since 1987. For his dedicated service to the nonprofit and residents for 34 years, Jimenez will receive the Advancing Abilities award.

“I enjoy serving healthy, quality food to residents. I am grateful to be able to make a difference in their lives because they had a huge impact on mine,” Jimenez said.

Grace Fisher will share her personal story at the event, whose spine was ravaged by a virus leaving her paralyzed from neck to toe during her senior year of high school in 2014. Since then, her wish to help children disabilities through art and music has become a reality at the Grace Fisher Foundation.

Speaking on behalf of the Hillside families will be Allan Goldman, whose brother Ricky moved into the residential community last year.

The evening will begin with a reception featuring hors d’oeuvres, wine and live jazz by duo Kim Collins/Debbie Denke. Chef Maili Halme of Maili Productions will prepare a three-course gourmet dinner. Local wine expert John Tilson has selected premium fine wines to accompany the dishes.

A painting entitled “El Beso” (“The Kiss”) by Pedro de la Cruz will be offered during the Sunset Evening live auction. (Pedro de la Cruz)

In a live auction between classes, attendees can bid on a two-night getaway to Los Olivos; a pearl and gold bracelet; gourmet wine dinner for six; Painting “Latitudes” by Ruth Ellen Hoag; “El Beso” (“The Kiss”) painting by Pedro de la Cruz; and a private catered dinner for four with Steppenwolf lead singer/songwriter John Kay.

After dinner, attendees will be able to raise their paddles in support of therapeutic care and resident skills development, and the winners of the raffle will be announced. Among the raffle prizes are cakes from local bakeries; a sunset picnic; coastal boat cruise; and brunch for two at San Ysidro Ranch and dinner for two at Caruso’s, Rosewood Miramar Beach.

Hillside thanks its sponsors: Cynthy and Dave Ardell; Avitas financial management; Boone Graphics; David and Louise Borgatello; Henry Bowis and Maureen Doherty Bowis; Ellen and Richard Brand; Bob and Patty Bryant; John and Gail Campanella; Mary and Richard Compton; Demboski & Chapman Financial; Brad and Cynthia Frohling; Norris and Barry Goss.

Also, Mission Linen Supply; Montecito Bank & Trust; Nursery Por La Mar; PriceTaylor Enterprises; Nancy Read; Robert Ross; Gerold and Barbara Rubin; Band of Chumash Indians of Santa Ynez; Gerald and Carol Smith; Tremblay Financial Services; Nancy and Russ Werner; Ley and Suzanne Wertz; Karl and Julianne Willig; and Jim and Marcia Wolfe.

For more information on supporting Hillside and its residents, visit www.hillsidesb.org or contact Michael Padden-Rubin, Director of Development, at [email protected] or 805-687-0788 ext 115.