Courtesy photos by Kristi Harris.
WESTLAKE VILLAGE — Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County (BBSVC), Ventura County’s premier youth mentoring nonprofit organization, held their 14th annual Bags, Bling & Bubbly champagne luncheon on Wednesday, November 9th at the Four Seasons Hotel in Westlake Village.
This sparkling event started with an amazing boutique and silent auction, where a collection of designer and vintage handbags, jewelry, accessories, vacation getaways, restaurant outings, and more were available for purchase and bidding. Guests were delighted by the Treasure Purse game where two designer handbags contained various prizes, and participants needed to choose the right key to unlock the fun inside. A live auction for exciting items like a Fiji Vacation for 4 and a Mammoth Lakes Retreat also benefited the event. A panel with esteemed guests Dr. Sevet Johnson (CEO, County of Ventura), Kathy Odell (CEO Women’s Economic Ventures), and Saritha Ivaturi (Big Sister of the Year 2023) was conducted over Facebook live, where they discussed subjects like the importance of youth mentorship in Ventura County and how their experiences impacted their pathways.
During the lunch program, BBSVC CEO Danica Selvaggio voiced the importance of youth mentoring in Ventura County and the impact the agency has had on the community. Big & Little Sisters of The Year 2023 for Ventura County, Saritha and Crystal, shared the power of their mentoring journey and how they have both learned and grown so much with one another. The agency’s Director of Philanthropy, Kathleen Leonard, also shared her own personal story about being a guardian of a Little Sister and how her own family has been supported through adversity by BBSVC’s youth mentoring programs – she thanked her granddaughter’s Big, who was sitting in the audience.
Proceeds from the Bags, Bling & Bubbly champagne luncheon went towards providing the financial support BBSVC needs to help serve youth in Ventura County schools and the greater community. Event sponsors included Tami and John Osborn, Miracle Mile Advisors, Stych Inc., Sherwin Williams, First Bank, CBC Federal Credit Union, McFadden Family Law & Mediation, Diane Sabol, Steven M. Greenwood, P.C., Photography by Kristi, Limon y Sal, Navy Federal Credit Union, Alpha Floral, and Where2Print.
Individuals interested in getting involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County for another exemplary year as a volunteer or supporter may contact the agency’s main office at 805.484.2282 or visit https://www.bbsvc.org
About Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County (BBSVC) has been connecting Bigs and Littles in professionally supported, one-to-one mentoring relationships in Ventura County and neighboring communities since 1970. Supporting over 1,000 youth annually between community or school-based volunteers and youth ages 6-21 years old, BBSVC is committed to bringing their life-changing program to every child in Ventura County who needs it. BBSVC is an independent 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that depends on private donors for 75% of its funding.
