Philanthropic locals turn out to make a difference.
Summer is here, but before you leave last season behind, let’s celebrate the bounty of spring soirees. From providing more opportunities for women in technology to creating safer neighborhoods to improving the lives of foster youth, Bay Area events have certainly put the fun in fundraising. Actress and activist Laura Dern partnered with booking.com for the inaugural Women in Tech Code-a-Thon in San Francisco, which seeks to prepare participants for future studies through coding classes, mentorship, hands-on training and more. During the event, Dern announced a $350,000 scholarship program to leading universities in the U.S. through booking.com’s Women in Tech initiative. Elsewhere in the city, Sherri Wood served as the gala co-chair of St. Anthony Foundation’s annual Serving Hope gala, an evening dedicated to honoring Barry Stenger and increasing safety in the Tenderloin and beyond. The 30th annual Goldman Environmental Prize ceremony brought out heavy hitters among the world’s environmental champions. It’s no surprise, then, that a leader among them, former Vice President Al Gore, was in attendance. Let’s not forget our furry friends, who were well represented at both the San Francisco SPCA Metamorphosis event, which honored Peter Read, and at Zoofest, honoring Jennifer Hammer and Ed Oates. Finally, you’ve got to hand it to Wanda Durant, mother of Golden State Warriors Kevin Durant, who has embraced her role in the Bay Area community. “Mama Durant,” as she’s affectionately known, came out for the Big Brothers Big Sisters Gala, where Dan Ashley served as master of ceremonies. Here’s hoping summer will be just as giving!
4/27 Actress Laura Dern at the Women in Tech Code-a-Thon. Photos by Craig Lee.
Emily Ye, Dern, Max Buccini and Hadeer Younis. Photos by Craig Lee.
Erin Weigel, Dern, Elie Schoppik, Denise Farjardo and Surbhi Jain. Photos by Craig Lee.
4/12 Honorees Jennifer Hammer and Ed Oates at San Francisco Zoological Society’s ZooFest. Photos by Drew Altizer Photography.
4/30 Jacqueline Jacobs at the San Francisco SPCA’s Metamorphosis event. Photos by Drew Altizer Photography.
4/26 Dawn Kruger, Wanda “Mama Durant,”Dan Ashley and Angela De La Housaye at the Big Brothers Big Sisters Gala. Photo by Arthur Kobin for Drew Altizer Photography.
4/29 Goldman Prize winner BeleĢn Curamil with former Vice President Al Gore at the 30th annual Goldman Environmental Prize ceremony. Photo by Devlin Shand for Drew Altizer Photography.
4/25 Leigh Kelleher and Valerie Kelleher at Brix reopening in Napa. Photo by Bob McClenahan.
Veronica Swanson Beard and Veronica Miele Beard at the Veronica Beard Fillmore Street opening. Photo by Drew Altizer Photography.
4/26 Promise Awardee Will Spears with Robert Keehan at San Francisco CASA’s Fostering Change Gala: Dream Grow Here at The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco. Photo by Susan Bates for Drew Altizer Photography.
4/25 Sherri Wood with St. Anthony’s Spirit Award recipient, Barry Stenger, at the Serving Hope fundraising gala. Photo by Devlin Shand for Drew Altizer Photography.
4/15 Gov. Gavin Newsom with Jennifer Siebel Newsom at the premiere of her latest film, The Great American Lie. Photo by Ando Caulfield for Drew Altizer Photography.
Photography by: CRAIG LEE AND DREW ALTIZER PHOTOGRAPHY
