Better Makers: 3 Ways Our Community Is Coming Together During Covid-19

During these difficult times, giving back is more important than ever. Here are three charities and groups in the community working hard to keep everyone taken care of during the coronavirus pandemic.

Horizons Raises Over $400,000 at Their 40th Anniversary Virtual Gala

Making grants supporting the entire LGBTQ community.

Since 1980, Horizons Foundation has awarded over $50 million to more than 2,100 organizations, including over $940,000 in emergency grants to Bay Area LGBTQ organizations in response to the pandemic. Over 600 donors made the virtual event’s success possible this year. Guests enjoyed curated playlists by DJ Page Hodel, signature #Horizons40 cocktails and virtual backgrounds. Special appearances and remarks from artists, writers and performers as well as San Francisco Mayor London N. Breed, former state senator Mark Leno; and nonprofit leaders Imani Rupert-Gordon of National Center for Lesbian Rights, Kris Hayashi and Cecilia Chung of Transgender Law Center and Brett Andrews of PRC. Sponsors included Levi Strauss Foundation, 2K Games, Brio Financial Group, Dolby Laboratories, Excelerate Foundation, Genentech, Golden Gate Business Association, Masto Foundation, One Medical and Union Bank, among other generous supporters. Help Horizon continue to support the Bay Area LGBTQ community by donating to their Covid-19 Response Emergency Fund. 

San Rafaels Ritter Center Provides Over 100 Meals to Bay Area Families in Need

Making it possible for low-income families in Marin County to enjoy Thanksgiving Dinner with their families.

Ritter Center food distribution (pre-Covid)

With a 40-year history of working to prevent homelessness and improve the health and well-being of individuals and families living in poverty in Marin, the San Rafael nonprofit Ritter House is providing Thanksgiving meals to those in need from the very beginning. At time of print, nearly 150 families were signed up to receive a Thanksgiving meal, which included a turkey, stuffing, vegetables and a pie. Good Earth Natural Foods, ExtraFood.org, Nugget Markets and United Markets all helped with additional donations and both the Marin County Sheriff’s Office and San Rafael Police Department donated turkeys. Donations to Ritter Center are always welcome and help fund vital health care and mental health program costs.

Lifehouse Harvest Auction Raises Over $38,000 for Essential Programs

Bolstering support for people with developmental disabilities during Covid-19.

Direct Support Staff, Ron Pawlowski; Lifehouse Resident Keegan Blong and Supported Living Program Manager, Anja Hansen take a stroll down a hiking and bike path in Keegan’s neighborhood in Rohnert Park.

Lifehouse’s Harvest Auction was a special virtual event held to help raise additional funds to maintain Lifehouse programs and services during Covidtimes. Since 1954, Lifehouse has been working to improve the quality of life for people with developmental disabilities in the community by providing a lifetime of compassionate support in an atmosphere of respect, inspiration, and purpose. Auction items included a virtual broadway meet-and-greet, wine packages, jewelry, and luxury trips to San Diego, Tahoe and Wine Country. Special thanks to HUB International, their Independence Sponsor, and Doug Clough and Erin Uesugi, their Inspiration Sponsors. Lifehouse gratefully accepts donations of time and/or money to help improve the lives of people living with developmental disabilities.


How to Help

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Sabrina Tuton-Filson is the Assistant Editor at Marin Magazine and a graduate of Elon University where she studied Professional Writing and Fine Art. Born and raised in San Francisco/Marin, she loves traveling just as much as coming home to the Bay Area. She has curated a sophisticated palate for food, travel and culture and uses her travels as an outlet to develop her photography portfolio and hone her writing craft.