Even the most vibrant of counties are not without need for charitable organizations, and what better way to fund admirable foundations than with a fancy party? The 2024 readers’ choice Best of the County winner is Lifehouse Agency: Great Chefs & Wineries (pictured above). For the rest of the Marin Magazine‘s Best of Marin County Annual Gala picks see below.
Our 2024 Philanthropy category sponsor is Skin Suite Marin. View the rest of the Philanthropy category here.
We’ve broken it down by region: Central and Northern Marin.
Central | Northern
Central Marin
Side by Side: Reach for the Stars Gala
San Anselmo
Founded in 1895 in Marin County as an orphanage, Side By Side operates across the Bay Area as a support network for youth that have been impacted by trauma and adversity. All their services are tailored for what each young person needs, from mental health assistance to transitional housing. Their Reach for the Stars Gala has entertainment, dining, and music and has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for in-need youth.
300 Sunny Hills Drive, Bldg. #5 San Anselmo, 415.457.3200
Marin General Hospital Foundation Gala
Greenbrae
Their annual black tie gala benefits a different one of MarinHealth’s programs every year. In 2023, the “Signed, Sealed, Delivered” gala’s proceeds went to expanding cardiovascular care and the various methods that are used to treat heart conditions at Marin General.
1350 S Eliseo Dr #110, Greenbrae, 415.925.7770
Lifehouse Agency: Great Chefs & Wineries
San Rafael
Lifehouse’s mission is to improve the quality of life for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in our community, providing a lifetime of compassionate support within an atmosphere of respect, inspiration and purpose. Their Great Chefs and Wineries event is, as promised, a night of the best of food and wine that can be found in the county. In the week leading up to the event, a virtual auction is held to raise money and awareness for the important work Lifehouse does.
18 Professional Center Parkway, San Rafael, 415.526.5300
St. Vincent de Paul Society: Pennies From Heaven
San Rafael
St. Vincent de Paul has a mission to provide compassionate, individualized assistance to help their most vulnerable neighbors obtain nutritious food, affordable housing, meaningful employment, and a voice in the community. Their crisis assistance programs have grown to support over 8,000 people annually, including housing Marin’s chronically homeless and supporting those who are precariously housed.
820 B Street, San Rafael, 415.454.3303
Northern Marin
Narada Michael Walden Foundation: The Spring Fling
Novato
The Narada Michael Walden Foundation has a dream; to enable young people to find creativity and passion through music, to provide a joyous outlet for the stress that youth today often experience. Young artists can find the start they need through the Foundation, accessing coaching and support that they would otherwise need to pay for. The Spring Fling event features young artists who learn and then perform songs at their own mini-concert.
530C Alameda del Prado, #323, Novato
Best of the County Philanthropy Sponsor
Skin Suite Marin
Skin Suite Marin is the premier natural beauty and wellness destination in Southern Marin. Thena Holmen, RN has specialized in Aesthetic Nursing for over three decade and is known in the county for her emphasis on natural-looking beauty.
Skin Suite Marin offers the most advanced technology being the leading provider of the Fotona4D® non-invasive laser. Combined with the Hydrafacial, PRX Peel, fillers and Botox, Thena can help you achieve the best version of you with little discomfort and no down time.
What cause(s) have touched you?
When my eyes were opened to the reality of human trafficking, I felt an obligation to spread awareness and become involved to help every child to have hope and a future. I support an organization called Operation Rescue that fights against human exploitation and sex trafficking.
Why is philanthropy/humanitarianism important to you?
I believe beauty is more than skin deep.
Skin Suite Marin | Mill Valley | 415.881.6001 | skinsuitemarin.com
