A successful gala event raising money for United Way’s United for Literacy Programs and honoring Eric, Ron & Marlys Boehm and ABC-CLIO and Mario & David Borgatello and MarBorg Industries for over 125 combined years of community business, service and philanthropy.

Thanks to the generous support of individual and corporate sponsors and three anonymous donors with additional and/or matching gifts, the 15th Annual Red Feather Ball concluded as one of the top 3 Red Feather Balls in history, with over $260,000 raised for United Way Literacy programs.

Ron & Marlys Boehm, Eric Boehm & Judy Pochini, Becky Snyder,(President of ABC-CLIO) and Paul Didier (UWSBC)

The success of the event and the support received from those in attendance will allow United Way to expand the award winning Fun in the Sun, a summer enrichment program, and the Reading Plus scholarships available in our community. Twenty-five Santa Barbara county schools and 4 after-school programs serving more than 3500 students are experiencing exceptional reading results. Now, thousands more local students will have the life changing opportunity to experience academic success.

The gala started with a salute to Eric Boehm, 92 and Mario F. Borgatello, 93. These patriarchs started businesses that have employed thousands of local people, do business with dozens of local professionals and vendors, and are successfully run by second and third generation family members who are committed to giving back to the community and education in so many ways.

Art Deco & His Society Orchestra had the dance floor packed during and after dinner. Debbie Davison Phelps and Andrew Firestone added grace, humor and results to the program and auction.

The evening culminated in the presentation to the 2011 recipients of the Abercrombie Community Excellence Award: Eric, Ron & Marlys Boehm and ABC-CLIO and Mario & David Borgatello and MarBorg Industries for decades upon decades of philanthropy and service to our communities.
 

Mario and David Borgatello with their large and wonderful family	Honorees David and Mario Borgatello flanking Paul Didier & Dr. Peter MacDougall

More Photo Highlights from the 15th Annual Red Feather Ball

It's Not Too Late to Make a Donation to Red Feather Ball.  Your Donation will Benefit Reading Plus and Fun in the Sun Programs. Red Feather Ball Donation Buys a Full Reading Plus Scholarship $1,000.00Helps Hundreds of Students Over the Course of a Year $500.00Buys a Book for 2 Kids Every Month for a Year $100.00Puts a Book in a Child's Home Every Month for a Year $52.00

14th Annual Red Feather Ball....Truly a "Fanta-Sea"!

 

Michael, Barry, Jelinda, and Matthew DeVorzon

Close to 250 attended this year’s under sea themed Red Feather Ball on Saturday, October 23, 2010 to honor and recognize the philanthropic and volunteer contributions of Jelinda DeVorzon and AGIA Insurance Services.　

 

Guests were wowed by the voice of Jimmy Demers to open the evening and brought to happy tears at the end by Barry DeVorzon as he played and sang his original music "Jelinda’s Song" to his wife of 39 years. In between, dancing throughout dinner was encouraged and enjoyed to the tunes of Art Deco & His Society Orchestra.　
 

Touted by many to be the most beautiful and fun Red Feather Ball, the Fess Parker DoubleTree ballrooms were transformed into a sea of shimmering turquoise, punctuated by red and white coral and floating candles on the tables.　 Host Ann Gursey brought her own high energy to the stage to keep the evening moving and did a great job as the scholarship auctioneer for Fun in the Sun and Reading Plus.   Fun in the Sun participant Trevor Garvin and his mom, Lori. made a heartfelt and moving visit on stage.

Bui looks on as Herb acknowledges the crowd of well wishers

Event Co-Chairs and attendees Bui & Herb Simon and Anne & Michael Towbes not only lent their names to the event but were major sponsors as well.　 We were honored that Herb would consent to spend his birthday helping the community.　 So, it was our pleasure to surprise him with a cake and champagne supplied by Barry & Jelinda. Herb was completely caught off guard as everyone was led in "Happy Birthday, Dear Herb" by the band.　How’s that for a surprise birthday party?　
 

The attention was turned back to our honorees at the end of the evening to acknowledge their many contributions of Time, Talent & Treasure.　 John Wigle, President & CEO of AGIA Insurance Services and Jelinda DeVorzon were gracious in their remarks.　 It was easy to see why United Way of Santa Barbara County chose to honor them with the 2010 Abercrombie Community Excellence Awards.