Event Recap: 2018 “A Room to Heal” Annual Fundraiser

Special Thanks to 656 Photography for all of our event photos!

On Saturday, September 8th, Savvy Giving by Design hosted our third annual “A Room to Heal” fundraiser at the Omni La Costa in Carlsbad, CA. 220 generous Savvy Givers were on hand for a night of raising our glasses and raising funds for Savvy Giving by Design. Here are the highlights from this year’s fundraiser!

DESIGNER TABLESCAPES BY SISTERED STATES EVENT STYLING

We started the evening with a beautiful cocktail hour outdoors. Guests were greeted at the check in table and photographed at our sponsor step and repeat while sipping delicious drinks under the palm trees and market lights.

Without a doubt, the expertly designed tablescapes by Sistered States Event Styling were the highlight of the cocktail hour. Each table featured an original theme and the combinations of plates, glassware, flatware, and accessories made each tableau a complete party-in-a-box.

KEYNOTE & V.I.P. EXPERIENCE WITH BRAVO TV’s JEFF LEWIS

VIP Attendees had the opportunity to meet Savvy Giving by Design’s own celebrity supporter, Bravo Network’s Jeff Lewis, at a private event during a portion of the cocktail hour. Jeff and Gage were gracious in answering questions, spilling all the drama on the housewives, and indulging our guests in countless selfies!

But the fun didn’t stop there. Jeff joined our founder, Susan Wintersteen, on stage for an off-the-cuff Q and A session about design, his show, “Flipping Out,” and why he has been an ongoing supporter of Savvy Giving by Design.

SPEECH BY SGBD ROOM RECIPIENT, ISAAC COULAPIDES

The program took on a more serious tone when Isaac Coulapides took the stage. Isaac is a recent SGBD Room Recipient (see his room transformation photos and videos here).

In October of last year, Isaac was in a car accident that tragically left him paralyzed from the waist down. Isaac’s life has changed completely since the accident. No longer able to go upstairs to his old bedroom, or even fit through the front door with his wheelchair, the Savvy Giving team collaborated with other general contracting teams and dozens of community members to make over his space; this was a huge collaboration.

Isaac spoke emotionally about his experience with Savvy Giving by Design and gave many of our guests an idea of what it was like for him to see his made over room for the very first time.

SHARING OUR NEW SAVVY GIVING VIDEO

Speaking of videos, during the dinner portion of the evening, we treated our guests to the premiere our new Savvy Giving by Design video! Special thanks to Beacons Point for producing a video that so clearly captures what we do and who we help!

Special Thanks to: Beacons Point for pulling this video together!

*Please be sure to like, comment and subscribe on our Youtube Channel! Also, please share this video by clicking the arrow in the top right corner! The more people that see it, the more we can spread the word about what we do, who why help and why we do it!

FUNDRAISE FOR A GREAT CAUSE

The donations that we collect at each year’s fundraiser provide the great majority of the funds that we use throughout the year to continue carrying out our mission. This year, we are thrilled to announce that we will be able to continue designing and installing beautiful rooms for amazing children in the year to come.

These funds will help us reach at least 10 local families in the next year and will also support our national affiliate designer program in states across the U.S.

…WITH SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS

We would like to take the time to thank our sponsors for their donation of products, services, and funds to support our annual fundraiser. We couldn’t do what we do without your help!

HOW TO GET INVOLVED:

Whether you were able to attend this year’s fundraiser or not, we would love your help and support in planning the next one! We will be working to expand our event committee for the 2019 event. If you’re interested, and if especially if you have some experience with event planning and fundraising, click the button below!