Ambassadors 5 Circle Donors Host Benefit Events to Support HOPE Mission
From left: Birthday party for Sindee Smolowitz, high-tea/cocktail party hosted by Minnie and Ricardo Banos. (HOPE)
The success of HOPE’s mission relies upon the community’s belief in our cause and their subsequent direct financial support for our work. This was exemplified in 2018 by two generous groups of benefactors who hosted events for their friends, families, and colleagues to raise money to empower HOPE to continue the work of acquiring and renovating stable, affordable housing for those we serve. These benefactors are members of HOPE’s Ambassadors 5 Circle: an engaged, activated, and excited group of donors who have each given $5,000 or more as vital support for HOPE.
Minnie and Ricardo Banos.
A huge thank you goes out to Ricardo and Minnie Banos who hosted a tea party at their home on June 2nd and Sindee Smolowitz and Peggy Eaton who hosted Sindee’s birthday party at their home on August 26th. Each of these special occasions was specifically planned to benefit HOPE. Combined they raised more than $25K for our mission. We applaud Ricardo, Minnie, Mercedes Lowery, Sindee Smolowitz and Peggy Eaton on their creativity in organizing these unique opportunities for their communities to contribute to our cause.
The Banos’ afternoon event in Cypress was a lively high-tea and cocktail party that extended into the evening when dinner was served. There were more than 50 guests in attendance, and the festivities included a silent auction and raffle. At the end of the night, Minnie, Ricardo and Mercedes directly asked those in attendance to consider a gift to HOPE.
Sindee Smolowitz and Peggy Eaton. (HOPE)
Sindee Smolowitz’s Birthday Party was hosted in the home she shares with her wife Peggy Eaton in Long Beach. Food was served casually by a vendor who prepared Mexican cuisine, including tacos. There were 40 guests in attendance to celebrate with Sindee and support our work. This casual outdoor event lasted into the evening when Sindee made a special appeal to her friends to donate to HOPE in lieu of a birthday gift.
These hosts were so generous that they also donated the food and beverages for their events so that HOPE would receive the full proceeds without a single expense to our organization. We are so lucky to have such warm and thoughtful benefactors. The donations received from these and other events in 2018 will directly go toward initiatives, such as the completion of the renovations at HOPE’s most recently purchased building in Long Beach. Starting in 2019, this new HOPE location will be home to seven residents with developmental disabilities. Thank you to all of our donors who helped to may this year such a success.
If you are interested in supporting HOPE by hosting a benefit event. Please contact Manager of Donor Relations Jennifer Byram at Jennifer.byram@hope-homes.org or (310) 543-0635.
