SAN FRANCISCO (April 2, 2019) — The American Red Cross of the Bay Area is pleased to announce that the 25th Annual Red Cross Gala raised over $1 million to support the Red Cross mission to prevent and alleviate human suffering during emergencies. Taking place on Saturday, March 23 at San Francisco City Hall, the sold-out Red Cross Gala was attended by 450 Bay Area notables, who helped to honor 25 years of disaster response efforts that have plagued our nation and community, and Salesforce, Red Cross’ Humanitarian Company of the Year.
Chaired by Lindsey Haswell and Meredith Kendall Maines and attended by notables including Libby Schaaf, Oakland Mayor, Allyson Fryoff, Senior Vice President of Salesforce.org, Lou Anne Alexander, Co-President of Zelle, Early Warning, the red-tie event featured a VIP cocktail hour with stunning displays of caviar stations, passed hors d’oeuvre and three-course dinner catered by Paula LeDuc Fine Catering, an exclusive Vanity Portrait Studio, and live entertainment by DJ Jason Mitchell and SF Jazz. Highlights of the evening included incredible live auction packages that raised over $100,000 for disaster relief. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Michelin-starred Chef Mourad Lahlou to host a private dinner 600’ above San Francisco in the penthouse Related California’s The Avery, of one of the City’s most luxurious properties, which was auctioned off twice; the chance to go behind the scenes of New York Fashion Week; and tickets to Lady Gaga’s ENIGMA concert in Vegas, round-trip airfare for two, and hotel room courtesy of MGM properties – were some of the most enticing packages offered and all were generously donated to support the Red Cross mission.
Further, the Red Cross Gala recognized Humanitarian Company of the Year, Salesforce, for its outstanding long-term contributions in helping to manage relationships with volunteers, donors, and service recipients more effectively. Salesforce and Salesforce.org’s overall investment exceeds $2.1 million, which includes $325,000 donated by employees over the course of the partnership.
“We are so appreciative of the overwhelming support by partners and guests of the 25th Annual Red Cross Gala to raise over $1 million toward disaster relief,” said Lindsey Haswell, gala co-chair. “It was an honor to celebrate Salesforce, a tireless partner that has donated resources toward problem-solving and generous funds in the face of the most destructive wildfire in California's history, and build further momentum to help those in need now and in the future.”
All proceeds from the event are directed to the life-saving programs and services of the American Red Cross. Last year brought another record-breaking year of disasters, leaving people in our immediate communities, Southern California and beyond in desperate need of help. Donations help with natural disasters like the California Wildfires, including the Camp Fire, and the devastating Hurricane Michael, helping the Red Cross to work preventatively instead of reactively.
This year marks 130 years of Red Cross service to the Bay Area community, as well as the 25th anniversary of the Red Cross Gala as a volunteer-led fundraiser. The Red Cross Gala is dedicated to recognizing local heroes and supporting the Red Cross mission to prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors. Time and again, particularly this year, families turn to the Red Cross for shelter, food, comfort and hope. In the last five years alone, the Red Cross of the Bay Area’s Gala has raised over $6M, with $12M in total raised over the last 25 years. Since its inception, the fundraiser’s purpose has always been the same: to celebrate and sustain the lifesaving programs and services of the Red Cross.
Made possible by Presenting Sponsor Zelle, this year’s Red Cross Gala received further support by sponsors Gold Sponsor: Kathryn W. Holmes; Silver Sponsors: Dignity Health, Elizabeth J. Folger & Robert J. Elred, Jeremy Liew, Lillian Phan, TMG Partners, Wells Fargo, and Diane B. Wilsey; Bronze Sponsors: APPLOVIN, Deloitte & Touche LLP, Each Foundation, Kaiser Permanente, Jennifer Mitrenga Maymon and Tomer Maymon, Camille McCormack, Brad O’Neill and Kris Davidson, The Oakland Raiders, Qatalyst and Simpson Thacher, and Eric and LeeAnn Woodward, Judith and Bill Allred, Jerry Chen, Mary Ann Cotter, Kelsey Cullen, Christine DeSanze and Scott Anthony, Robert Elfont and V’Anne Singleton, Evan and Joannie Ericson, Jerry Girouard, Emily Hu and Aaron Aiken, Lindsey and Jonathan Haswell, Lauren Johnston and Spencer Hugret, Aaron Maines and Meredith Kendall Maines, Morgan McQouwn, and Eva Monroe; After Party Sponsor: Audi of America; and Exclusive Airline Partner Alaska Airlines and Fiji Airways.
The 2019 Red Cross Gala committee includes co-chairs Lindsey Haswell and Meredith Kendall Maines; Honorary Committee Michael Covarrubias, Kathleen McIntosh, and Jeremy Liew; vice-chairs Emily Ajao Tzouanakis, Rachel Manson, Jennifer Mitrenga Maymon, Lillian Phan, V’Anne Singleton and Jennifer Wade; and committee members Nisha Baxi, Luc Bergevin, Nikki Chang, Kris Davidson, Joannie Ericson, Alexis Georgeson, Tatum Getty, Janou Gordon, Kathryn Holmes, Blakely Hull, Jim Kreissman, Maiah Parks, Sharon Seto, and Kristen Strobel.
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About the American Red Cross of the Bay Area: The American Red Cross shelters, feeds, and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org/bayarea or find us on Facebook and Twitter.
Editors’ Note: Photos available from Drew Altizer Photography.