If you were not able to attend Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County’s Hearts & Hammers Celebration on October 5th, you missed out on grand evening. Over 170 volunteers, friends and supporters came together to celebrate an important milestone in the affiliate’s history and support our efforts to raise funds for the next 10 homes in Santa Paula.
- There were more than eighty Silent Auction items to bid on – and every item had a winning bid! Live Auction items won by our guests included a fantastic 3-day Weekend Getaway at Mammoth Lake donated by Dan and Kessie Cimino, the Board of Directors Wine & Gift Card Basket, Alaska Airline Tickets, a Private Tasting for up to 16 Guests at Vom Fass, and a “Top Gun” Fighter Pilot Experience.
- Special guests included Virgil Nelson, Elden Sandy and Ginny Claborn (early Habitat leaders in Ventura County); Housing Advocate Mary Ann Krause; and our five Santa Paula homeowners (current and future) Esperanza, Jose & Indira Castro, Erik & Liliana Chavez, Blanca & Martin Rubio, Rigoberto & Hirais Sanchez, and Javier & Martha Solis. Indira and Hirais shared a few words about Habitat and its impact on their lives.
- Our heartfelt gratitude is extended to our outstanding guest auctioneer, County Supervisor Kathy Long and our generous sponsors: Montecito Bank & Trust (Platinum), Anderson Kill, Coastal Orthodontics, Corporate Graphics, Ventura County Deputy Sheriffs’ Association, Affinity Accounting Corporation, Kim Larkins/Amgen Matching Grant, Gerald & Joan Olsen, Radant Family Fund, Alvarez Law Firm, Chase Bank, Limoneira, Martin Kircher, Sal Gonzalez, Ventura County Credit Union, David Goldstein, Santa to the Sea, and Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation
- Special thanks are in order for the hard-working event team and all volunteers who made the evening fun and successful…..and thanks to Bob Carey for the amazing photos; Hedy Swercheck for her numerous contributions to the silent auction and delicious chocolate favors; musician Scott Spindel (you are amazing!); volunteers from California Lutheran University and Pepperdine;, comedian Louis Ashamallah, DJs Catering for the delicious dinner, and to Kevin Genovese with the Santa Paula Agriculture Museum.
Photo credits: Bob Carey Photography