Terry Hickey Banks. Courtesy photo.
CARPINTERIA — Girls Inc. of Carpinteria will host its largest annual fundraiser “An Evening in Bloom” on Saturday, September 23 from 5:30pm-10pm. This year’s gala will be held at Girls Inc.’s campus at 5315 Foothill Road in Carpinteria.
The annual affair features a cocktail and hors d’oeuvres hour, red carpet photo reception, plated dinner, hosted bar, live and silent auctions, entertainment and dancing.
This year, Girls Inc. of Carpinteria will honor Terry Hickey Banks, a dedicated Girls Inc. advocate and active community member who has worked tirelessly to benefit the education and quality of life for Carpinteria’s youth.
Banks has been involved with Girls Inc. in numerous capacities for nearly ten years, having served as a board member, board president, and event co-chair for the Taste and Mariachi fundraisers. Her efforts have help raise more than $100,000 for Carpinteria girls. Banks is also a passionate supporter of the nonprofit’s Eureka! college-bound program.
“For many years, Terry has enthusiastically supported our efforts to provide local girls with programs and experiences that are both meaningful and life-changing,” said Victoria Juarez, executive director of Girls Inc. Carpinteria. “She is invaluable to Girls Inc. and our community and truly embodies our strong, smart and bold motto. We are proud to pay tribute to her outstanding leadership, commitment, and dedication to the betterment of our community.”
A Carpinteria native, Banks is president of Hickey Bros. Land Co., Inc., a family-owned commercial, residential and farming business. For several decades, Banks has volunteered in local classrooms, for local sports programs and taken positions on many nonprofit boards, including Girls Inc., the Carpinteria Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Carpinteria Education Foundation and Carpinteria Unified School District. She was named Carpinterian of the Year in 2010.
An Evening in Bloom’s event co-chairs are Stefanie Herrington and Gail Persoon.
Tickets are $125 and all proceeds support Girls Inc. of Carpinteria’s programs to inspire girls to be strong, smart, and bold. Girls Inc. of Carpinteria’s programs serve more than 700 girls each year, helping them navigate gender, economic and social barriers and grow into healthy, educated and independent adults.
For more information or to purchase tickets, please call (805) 684-6364 or visit www.girlsinc-carp.org.
Girls Inc. of Carpinteria is a member of Girls Incorporated®, a nonprofit organization that inspires all girls to be strong, smart, and bold. With local roots dating to 1864 and national status since 1945, Girls Inc. has responded to the changing needs of girls through research-based programs and public education efforts that empower girls to understand, value, and assert their rights. We provide programs for girls 6 to 18 years old that focus on science, math, and technology; health and sexuality; economic and financial literacy; sports skills; leadership and advocacy; and media literacy. To learn more, become a volunteer or offer support, please visit www.girlsinc-carp.or