Pennies from Heaven

Montecito Journal | May 11, 2017
by Richard Mineards

A mélange of magnificent millinery swept over the impeccably manicured lawn of the Biltmore when Angels Foster Care of Santa Barbara held its sixth annual Al Fresco Afternoon on the Riviera. The 11-year-old charity, which has placed 217 babies and had 101 adoptions, had more than 200 guests helping raise more than $90,000 for the cause. Event co-chairs were Peggy Hodson and Sheri Mardiat, while my Journal colleague Erin Graffy and radio host Catherine Remak emceed the boffo beano. The Volunteer of the Year award went to Nick Salvesen, who has led successful fundraising campaigns, while the MVP award went to Holly Murphy, owner of the La Arcada gift boutique, Coast 2 Coast, the “visionary” behind the popular event. Guests supporting the lunch, which also helped raise $10,000 – two $5,000 gifts – toward a matching grant for a hybrid vehicle for social workers, included founder Meichelle Arntz, Karen Earp, Ivana Firestone, Janet Garufis, George Leis, Belle Hahn Cohen, Mindy Denson, Gina Tolleson, Monica Babich, Mary Reynolds, Annie Williams, and Diana MacFarlane. A tableside fashion show featuring Angels Foster Care mothers, with clothes from Diani, J. McLaughlin, and Whiskey x Leather, also added color to the bash.

Read the article here.