Usually hosted in late winter, By the Bay Health’s annual gala, this year under the theme Gathered, was on May 30 this year at The Clubhouse at Peacock Gap in San Rafael.
The springtime debut was a hit, with 250 guests in attendance including a few notable guests: Ken and Vera Meislin; Karen May and Keith Shultz; Dan Cohen and Lynn Brinton; Jerry Peters; Marin County Supervisor Stephanie Moulton Peters; 10,000 Degrees President and CEO Kim Mazzuca; College of Marin President Jonathan Eldridge; College of Marin Assistant Superintendent and Vice President of Student Learning and Success Dr. Dana Emerson; Marin County Superintendent of Schools Jon Carroll; Vivalon CEO Kaushik Roy; and Bank of Marin CEO Tim Myers.
CEO Skelly Wingard kicked off the night by speaking about the importance of By the Bay Health as one of only two remaining independent nonprofit hospices in the Bay Area. Wingard also spoke about Peters’ and Meislin’s contributions, and additionally honored the memories of community figures Pat Kendall and Doug McConnell, both lost in the past year. Following Wingard’s opening remarks, San Francisco Opera Orchestra violinist Jennifer Cho performed a live tribute dedicated to Peters and Meislin.
The gala’s annual theme — Gathered — is meant to encapsulate By the Bay Health’s services by creating a sense of community and connection between guests. To encourage this, remarks were kept brief yet powerful, and conversation prompt cards were placed on each table to encourage a night of mingling and meaningful conversations.
Guests enjoyed an outdoor cocktail hour early into the evening as well, with a live string quartet performance by additional musicians from the San Francisco Opera. Cho performed solo again during the dinner, and DJ Shazam maintained a lively atmosphere for the rest of the night.
McCall’s Catering & Events provided food and drink, and attendees savored wine that was generously donated by Thirty-Seven Wines.
As part of the gala’s efforts to raise funds for By the Bay Health’s ongoing mission, singing auctioneer Ellen Toscano hosted a live auction and paddle raise. It was a success, and guests Dan Cohn and Lynn Brinton even presented a surprise matching $50,000 gift during the paddle raise.
