The 9th annual Spring Fling was an amazing nearly 16 hour event that started on the golf course, moved to the boutique and ladies luncheon, on to the Evening Bash, auction, dancing and finished around 2 am in the bar at the Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay.
Be sure to check out photos from the Golf Classic and the Ladies Luncheon and Evening Bash.
Who knew the first really rainy day in the history of the event would lead to tons of men lounging in bathrobes, a bar full of people all afternoon. Combine this with some clown noses and we had one CRAZY and FUN event on our hands-all benefiting the JDRF and the search for a cure for type 1.
Our entire family chairs this event each year-which was founded in honor of our daughter Mary, who was diagnosed 11 years ago. Don handles sales, Mary and Jack are on hand to greet guests and work at the golf check-in or the boutique, Kate and Henry send the golfers off with a high five and love to be in charge of the puppies for auction time. I get to work with a creative and FUN group of women, planning the event from tee off to last call.
Here are our TOP NINE highlights of YEAR NINE:
1. The first rain out in 9 years drove many golfers into the spa and bar for the afternoon. The winning team, however, anchored by last year’s winner Austin Woody, scored a 61 and withstood Caddyshack like conditions!
2. The initial theme ARE YOU FUN? that was presented on the Save the Dates, proved true. Red clown noses on each guests’ plate lead to lots of FUN and festive photos! After spirited bidding at the auction, guests stayed and danced to 80′s cover band Notorious until well past midnight. The revelry moved to the bar, where Karin and Jim Riley were part of a large group were ordering hamburgers until nearly 2am.
3. NBC Sports Director, Raj Mathai, fresh from a month in Vancouver covering the Olympics, did an outstanding job, for the fifth time, as the evening MC. He presented me with the hottest souvenir item of the Games-the red mittens featuring the maple leaf.
4. Auction excitement-Jim Nichols and Jill Plant are going to the 2011 Grammy’s, Loren and Mike Gordon have a new chocolate lab, Coco. Coco’s brother, a surprise, was purchased by Don Listwin and Hilary Valentine, who gifted the pup on the spot to Eugenie and Rob Atherton. Private cooking class for 12 at Marche was purchased by Samira and Saeed Amid Hozour. Heidi Welch, who remarked, “it’s fun to be fun” bought a team for her husband Dave for the Madden Mariucci Celebrity Bocce Tournament in June.
5. Luncheon speaker Kristine Carlsen gave a thoughtful portrayal of her journey through hardship, reading from her new book, “Heart Broken Open.” The shopping boutique, with hand selected items for home, bath and gift giving was the highlight of the rainy afternoon. Ladies snapped up pjs, soaps, dog bowls and travel kits. Luncheon chairs Bre Colella and Heather Floriani did an outstanding job merchandising the boutique, and luncheon sponsors Janet Larson also contributed gorgeous centerpieces.
6. The highlight of the evening, was without a doubt, the Fund A Cure video featuring The Mozart and Chisholm families. Forest Mozart gave an account of his nearly 5000 days living with diabetes, while newcomer Will Chisholm and his mom Kim bravely walked us through his 56 days, as he was recently diagnosed. The video encouraged extraordinary giving, lead by Don Listwin and Hilary Valentine, raising over $200,000 to fund a research grant.
7. Also seen having a blast-sponsors Lisa and Mark Fischer-Colbrie, Patty Sue and the entire Mozart family, first timers Katie and JD Simpson, Karen and Jeff Jordan, Susan and Marshall Mohr, Laurie and Royal Farros, Karen and Ron Johnson, Julie and Mark Robson, the entire Village Doctor group and Gil and Jenny Amoroso.
8. I am most proud of the Fund a Cure video, which truly educated people about diabetes. The raw stories from the Mozart and Chisholm families truly gave guests a glimpse into the dangerous balancing act that is life with diabetes. WATCH IT!
In my luncheon remarks, I commented, “In the 11 years since our daughter Mary’s diagnosis, we have struggled, worried, watched her endure the hardships and emergencies, but we have also seen progress, strength, resolve, most of which has come through the committed and dedicated team at JDRF. Your support of this event will ensure that a cure is found, 85% of every dollar raised goes directly to research.”
9. Eighty-five cents of every dollar raised going directly to research is reason enough to support JDRF and Spring Fling……but-if you can have FUN at the same time, why not? The entire event raised over $600,000-bringing the 9 year total to just under $5 million.
We are looking forward to the 10th Anniversay Edition of Spring Fling next April Fool’s Day in Half Moon Bay and hope you will join us for what has truly become, the most anticipated event of each spring. We have something special in store for next year!!
In the meantime, check out the amazing Mozart and Chisholm families, sharing their journey with diabetes.
Watch the video on Facebook or on YouTube.
Yours truly,
Sarah Lucas, Spring Fling Founder and Event Chair
