Dream Foundation’s 14th Annual Celebration of Dreams Gala was held Saturday, November 7, 2015 at the Bacara Resort & Spa in Santa Barbara.
Distinguished guests and foundation friends in attendance included Corporate Partner of the Year, Gentiva Hospice Foundation, and the supporters of the newly launched Dreams for Veterans program, John Paul DeJoria (of the Patrón Spirits Company and CEO/Co-Founder of John Paul Mitchell Systems) and Andy Puzder (CEO/President of CKE Restaurants Holdings, Inc.) Generous support and contributions from this year’s honorees have made a significant impact by helping bring inspiration, comfort and closure to the end-of-life journey.
There were performances by Natalie Noone, Sara Stevens and O.A.R., and the live auctioneer was Andrew Firestone.
The evening also acknowledged and honored the 23,000+ terminally ill adults and their families Dream Foundation has had the privilege to serve over its 21-year history. Dream recipient Tara Middleton was present to share her incredible story of “poise and strength”. Also Jimmy and Sheri Malone—son and wife of dream recipient James, who passed away earlier this year—spoke of their experience with the Dreams for Veterans program and what it meant to their family. In addition, dreamer William Hood and his family recounted their dream experience in a moving video piece.
Dream Foundation’s Executive Director Kisa Heyer shared about the organization’s expanding presence in the palliative care movement across the United States, and an exciting 18-month process of rebranding for the organization. She spoke of the two new programs Dream Foundation has launched in the last year: Dreams for Veterans and Dreams for Multiple Myeloma, as well as the Corporate Partners who have given their support.
The Dream Lounge After Party—hosted by Dream Foundation’s new network of young professionals, entrepreneurs, and leaders called Generation Dream—was held in the spectacularly transformed Bacara Lobby with DJ Chris Cox, spirits by Patrón Tequila and New Belgium Brewing Company, and late night bites from Carl’s Jr. Star Diner and ProYo.
A Heartfelt Thank You
Thank you to our dedicated community of supporters who came together to celebrate the life-changing work of Dream Foundation. Net proceeds from the event are vital to supporting the Foundation’s dream granting programs, which rely solely on corporate, individual and foundation contributions and receive no federal or state funding.
Because of your commitment to our mission and dreamers, Dream Foundation will continue to serve thousands of end of life dreams each year and maintain our track record of never having turned down a qualified dream.
Thank you to our illustrious Co-Chairs: Eloise DeJoria, Jelinda DeVorzon, Hollye Jacobs, Holly Murphy, Sandi Nicholson, Mireille Noone, and Priscilla Presley – Dream Foundation Ambassador.
Also a special thanks goes to our (Platinum Sponsors) Colleen Barnett-Taylor and Michael Taylor, CKE Restaurants Holdings, Inc., Genentech, Gentiva Hospice Foundation, and Dee & Andy Puzder; (Gold Sponsors) Tracy & Michael Bollag, Holly & Bob Murphy, Bette & Bill Pattis, The Himovitz Family and El Capitan Canyon, Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, and Wells Fargo; (Event Sponsors) Bacara Resort & Spa, Geyser Peak Winery, Impulse Advanced Communications, John Paul Mitchell Systems, Patrón Tequila, Taittinger Champagne, Villa San-Juliette Vineyard and Winery, and Walter Claudio Salon Spa; and (After Party Sponsors) First Click, Gardner Grout Foundation, Patrón Tequila, PayJunction, and Elenor & Eric Wernicke.
Dream Foundation extends a warm and sincere thank you to all of our generous sponsors far too numerous to mention. Our dreamers and their families deeply appreciate all of your support.
Photo Gallery