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From left: Mia Dennis, Seeley Roebuck and Kirsten Johnstone Photo provided
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Children's Health Guild's annual Spring Gala was held on May 31 at the Claremont Hotel & Spa. This year's theme was Masquerade. The auction and event is always a much-anticipated event according to Orinda resident and event co-chair Kendall Glynn. This year's event sold out with over 300 East Bay residents in attendance and grossed over $300,000 for Children's Health Guild's two beneficiaries, UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland and the George Mark Children's House of San Leandro. "Children's Health Guild is comprised of 55 women who work hard throughout the year on all aspects of the event from securing sponsorships and donations to decor to staffing on the evening of the event," said Glynn.
The highlight of the evening came when Dr. Kurtis Auguste from UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland and local family, Sean and Alison Eddy, whose son received care from George Mark Children's House told their moving stories of the superb care provided by the two organizations, bringing the audience to their feet in heartfelt support. The spirited live auction, led by local favorite Steve Haworth, culminated in a generous $10,000 matching gift from Grubb Company and La Salle Financial.
"We are thankful for the many local organizations [that] supported our cause, especially Village Associates who was our lead sponsor," said Catherine Johnson, co-chair of the event. Originally founded as St. Luke's Junior Auxiliary, the group has raised funds to support women's and children's medical care for over 40 years. As the majority of the membership migrated to the East Bay, the group decided to direct their fundraising efforts to support two local pediatric medical facilities. In 2012, the organization was re-launched as the Children's Health Guild and is now an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit providing financial support to UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland and the George Mark Children's House.
For more information on Children's Health Guild or either of their beneficiaries, visit www.childrenshealthguild.org.
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA