On April 25, Lifehouse’s annual Great Chefs & Wineries event returned for another successful night, this year at Festival Pavilion, Fort Mason.
The 540 guests in attendance enjoyed an evening of entertainment, food and drink, all in the name of supporting Lifehouse’s mission to help people with developmental disabilities and to improve their quality of life. Among the many guests were a few notable ones, including: Nancy Dow Moody, President & CEO of Lifehouse; Huey Lewis, Honorary Chair; Amy G Gutierrez, Emcee; Heidi Krahling, Culinary Chair; Jared Huffman, US Representative; and Damon Connolly, CA State Representative.
Dow Moody welcomed guests and reflected on the previous 35 Great Chefs & Wineries events that she’s been with as well. She also spoke about Lifehouse’s completion of the Capital Campaign, which now allows the organization to own its San Rafael headquarters and reinvest more resources into programs.
“Since 1954, Lifehouse has been a vital source of support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families in our community,” Moody said. “Great Chefs & Wineries is more than a celebration, it’s a powerful reflection of what our community can achieve together, ensuring that those we serve are seen, supported and given every opportunity to live full lives.” Lewis spoke as well about his own 35-year involvement with Lifehouse and Great Chefs & Wineries.
As emcee for the evening, Amy ‘G’ Gutierrez recognized the individuals and businesses that brought this year’s Great Chefs & Wineries to life, including: Lifehouse’s dedicated Board of Directors, led by longtime supporters; the Wine Committee chaired by Bruce Gribens (with Sid Sall as Chair Emeritus); and the Great Chefs Steering Committee led by Erin Loftus-Sweetland and Culinary Chair Heidi Krahling.
Entertainment included performances by eight individuals supported by Lifehouse, in a dance choreographed by Tara-Caprice Broadwater of Love2Dance Novato. Local band Pop Fiction kept energy high with live music, even playing a tribute to Huey Lewis and the News with the song Hip to be Square.
And of course, the evening also successfully raised funds for Lifehouse, altogether totalling $900,000. The week leading up to the event, Lifehouse hosted a virtual auction with over 6000 items donated by local businesses, restaurants, wineries, private wine collections and artists. At the event itself, a live auction featured exclusive trips, food and wine experiences, fine jewelry and a ‘Gift of Life’ paddle raise. Lifehouse thanks all that made the event possible. Among these businesses and individuals were Diamond sponsors including: Brayton Purcell, LLP; Thirty Seven Wines; and Allan and Nancy Herzog. Event sponsors were: Helen Brame of Cresalia Jewelers (Sparkle Sponsor); Jan Berthold of Heffernan Insurance (Bid Paddle Sponsor); Steve & Chris Wilsey (Entertainment Sponsor); and Jennifer Fearon (Entertainment Sponsor). Emerald sponsors included: Eric & Shelley Aanes; Bank of Marin; Friends of Jacquie Gribens; Doug Clough and Erin Uesugi; The Coyne Family; and Meylan Construction.
