Meals on Wheels San Francisco 32nd Annual Star Chefs and Vintners Gala 2019
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – May 19 – Christina, Elaine Asher, Meredith Eggers, Remy Barrett, Jessica Taylor, Charlene and Lisa Considine attend Meals on Wheels San Francisco 32nd Annual Star Chefs and Vintners Gala 2019 on May 19th 2019 at Fort Mason Festival Pavillion in San Francisco, CA (Photo – Katie Ravas for Drew Altizer Photography)
Jonathan Rachman celebrates Gladys Perint Palmer
Thank you, Lawrence Wong.

When a Pride month like no other coincides with a global pandemic, it forces people to look around and ask: How can I help?

With our Pick-Your-Pic-Party Page fund-raisers this month, dozens of Gazette readers have done just that, raising thousands of dollars for two organizations supporting communities that are deeply in need: Meals on Wheels San Francisco and the Richmond/Ermet Aid Foundation.

Through $500 donations, participants including Dr. Carolyn ChangArlene InchJerold OsatoJennifer VanNatta and Doug Jackson (who was matched by his employer, the Gap) raised $9,000 for Meals on Wheels, a number that was then matched by Todd and Lisa Zabelle, totaling $18,000 for the organization. Meals on Wheels’ important mission of delivering food to homebound seniors has become a critical one since Mayor London Breed issued shelter-in-place orders in March to stop the spread of COVID-19, a virus that disproportionately affects seniors. Each $500 donation can feed an individual for one month.

With the help of San Francisco Pride czar Mark Rhoades, we were able to reach folks such as Ben Wong, J. Riccardo BenavidesTanum Davis BohenChip Zecher and George Kohn, who raised $5,000 for REAF’s tireless work supporting HIV/AIDS services and disenfranchised youth. The organization is also preparing to host its Virtual Summer Gala on July 18. Find more information at reaf-sf.org.

The coronavirus outbreak has upended the communities these organizations serve, but with the help of generous supporters (here’s looking at you!), they’ve been able to continue their vital work. Flip through the following pages to see some of the people who helped make this possible this summer. Thanks to Drew Altizer, who generously collaborated on this project by providing us with access to his extensive photo archive, we’ve been able to feature them in their natural, pre-pandemic habitats: Supporting the arts! Having fun at parties! The good ol’ days, right?

Those Honey Bears!

In honor of the 50th anniversary of Pride, local artist fnnch created one of his beloved signature honey bear murals at the SFLGBT Center, housed in the historic Fallon Building on Market Street. Known for his generosity — fnnch’s art has raised $129,000 for COVID-19 charities — the installation was donated by the muralist and pays tribute to the symbolic colors of the Philly Pride flag and the bisexual and transgender pride flags. On display until June 2021, so there’s plenty of time for selfies. Sweet!

Supporting Meals on Wheels San Francisco

Meals on Wheels San Francisco 31st Annual Star Chefs and Vintners Gala 2018
Thank you, Lisa Zabelle for you support and generous match.
Meals on Wheels San Francisco 32nd Annual Star Chefs and Vintners Gala 2019
Thank you, Mary Beth Shimmon. (Right, pictured with Cecilia Chang)
Meals on Wheels San Francisco 32nd Annual Star Chefs and Vintners Gala 2019
Thank you, Lisa Considine. (far right, pictured with Christian Giguere, Elaine Asher, Meredith Eggers, Jessica Sweedler, Remi Barrett, Kathryn Surso Rodriguez and Charlene Del Muro)
Meals on Wheels San Francisco 32nd Annual Star Chefs and Vintners Gala 2019
Thank you, Hillary Tyree. (Third from right, with Kelly Salance, Taylor Skillin, Cissie Bonini, Tiffany Apczynski, Karl Robillard, Megan Trotter and Jennifer McDonald)
Meals on Wheels 30th Annual Star Chefs & Vintners Gala
Thank you, Nancy Oakes. (Right, pictured with Thomas McNaughton)
Meals on Wheels San Francisco 32nd Annual Star Chefs and Vintners Gala 2019
Thank you, Doug Jackson. (Right, pictured with Katie Sweeney, David Nash and Lisa Zabelle)
San Francisco Symphony 2018 Opening Night Gala
Thank you, Christina Giguere. (Left, pictured with Kari Byron and Ann Balajadia)
San Francisco Opera Ball 2019
Thank you, Jerold Osato. (Pictured in the background, with Sonya Molodetskaya and Rada Katz)
San Francisco Symphony 2017
Thank you, Dr. Carolyn Chang. (Right, pictured with Patrick King)
Meals on Wheels San Francisco 31st Annual Star Chefs and Vintners Gala 2018
Thank you, Ken Zuckerman. (Right, pictured with Irene Wong)
SF Ballet Gala 2019
Thank you, Farah Makras.
amfAR Charity Poker Tournament 2019
Thank you, Hafsa Burt. (Center, pictured with Veronica Gledhill and Lynn Jurich)
Project Glimmer 2018 Luncheon
Thank you, Sonja Perkins. (Left, pictured with Tess Perkins and London Breed)
In Honor of Remarkable Women at Saint Joseph’s Art Society
Thank you, Dina Bandman. (Left, pictured with Emily Jones and Nicole Angelus.
SYMPHONIX Gala
Thank you, Robert Kresek. (Left, pictured with Susan Kresek)
SF Ballet Opening Night Gala 2020
Thank you, Pam Preston. (Left, pictured with Shokooh Miry)

 

 

https://www.nobhillgazette.com/events/parties/nhg-drew-altizer-pick-your-pic-fundraiser-celebrates-parties-past/article_312b22e4-1f92-5399-adba-073e662e4c3f.html