Butterfly Ball a Soaring Success

butterfly ball

The Butterfly Ball was absolutely incredible! Even more than we could have imagined. Guests arrived at the gorgeous Montecito estate, generously donated by the Winn & Twining families, with gratitude to be able to gather once again. From stunning decor created by Cristina Bentley of Bella Vista Designs and delicious food and wine provided by duo Events and donated by Fess Parker Winery and Jaffurs Wine Cellars to no-detail-missed planning by Co-Chairs Karie Ide and Kelly Almeroth and a meaningful program including a heartfelt speech by Gwendolyn’s friend, TJ Deakyne, the sold out audience gave rave reviews, calling it the:

“The best event I’ve ever been to…”

Santa Barbara’s hometown star Katy Perry personally donated tickets and a VIP Meet & Greet to her new Las Vegas show, PLAY, to support Gwendolyn’s Playground. Our dear friend Andrew Firestone wowed the crowd as our MC with his humor, auctioneering skills, and willingness to even do push-ups to help the cause! Three hundred guests listened, learned, laughed and danced the night away… raising a remarkable $700,000 for Gwendolyn’s Playground!!!

$700,000 Net!!! Bringing our total raised for

Gwendolyn’s Playground to $2.2Million!

I am so very humbled by the work I get to do because of Gwendolyn’s remarkable life and I am once again encouraged by this amazing community of kind humans. I know, with your continued help, we will raise the remaining necessary funding to build this life-changing community space where EVERYONE BELONGS!

 WATCH THE HIGHLIGHT VIDEO  

Our goal is to break ground by 2023 and we will continue pushing until we hit the $6Million mark!

LEARN MORE ABOUT GWENDOLYN’S PLAYGROUND AND HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED

An enormous thank you to the team of remarkable women involved in making this event such a success:

Co-Chairs: Karie Ide and Kelly Almeroth

Decor Chair: Cristina Bentley

Development Coordinator: Tess Council

Committee: Analise Maggio, Erin Galbraith, Ivana Firestone, Jenny Deakyne, Jenny Edwards, Jillian Pirozzi, JJ McLeod, Kara Hornbuckle, Katie Crocker, Marina Delio, Nikki Murray, Ronda Fallon, Sarah Genaurdi, Sarah Paskin and Sylvie Rich

And many thanks to our sponsors and vendors for their support and generosity:

EXCLUSIVE SPONSORS

Bella Vista Designs

BMW Santa Barbara

Fess Parker Winery

Grace Fisher Foundation

Jaffurs Wine Cellars

MONARCH TABLE $10,000
Patricia & Paul Bragg Foundation
Carlo & Dionne Brignardello
Tim & Jenny Deakyne
Alex & Casey Fang
Andrew & Ivana Firestone
Analise Maggio
Sarah & Mike Paskin
Justin & Ani Pollack
Leanne Schlinger
Randy Solakian Estates Group

SWALLOWTAIL TABLE $5,000
Kevin & Kelly Almeroth
Erick & Katie Crocker
Litchfield Builders
Joe & JJ McLeod
Mosher Foundation
Neurology Associates of SB
Nye, Stirling, Hale, & Miller, LLP
RRM Design Group
Santa Barbara Trolley
Westerlay Real Estate Group

BLUE MORPHO TABLE $3,000
Jessica Barker Medical Aesthetics
Nick & Aubrey Bartolo
Float Luxury Spa
Larame & Nikki Greene
Scribner Family
Brenton & Katie Taylor
Wells Fargo

VENDORS

Floral Design: Toast Santa Barbara

Catering: duo Events

Photography: Jennifer Yau Photography

Rentals: Bright Event Rentals

Videography: Andrew Paul Videography

Music: Gavin Roy Presents

Here’s to creating the future we all deserve!