2018 HoH Award Winners. Courtesy photo.
SANTA BARBARA — Hospice of Santa Barbara (HSB) hosted about 340 guests for the 6th Annual Heroes of Hospice “Jewels by the Sea” Luncheon on Wednesday, September 12 at the Four Seasons Biltmore, Coral Casino.
Each year, HSB recognizes the outstanding organizations and individuals who continue to play an important role in service to those in our community and/or support the organization’s mission of providing care to anyone experiencing the impact of serious illness or grieving the death of a loved one. The luncheon raised approximately $150,000 to support HSB’s programs.
“Today’s honorees are some of my personal heroes, and all of us at Hospice of Santa Barbara are thrilled for the opportunity to recognize them for their ongoing commitment to our organization, our patients, and the greater Santa Barbara community,” said David Selberg, CEO of Hospice of Santa Barbara. “HSB wouldn’t be the incredible organization it is today without partners and supporters like this year’s Heroes of Hospice.”
The 2018 honorees included Partnership Awards to Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation and Cottage Children’s Medical Center Hematology/Oncology, Legacy Award to Montecito Bank & Trust, Volunteer Award to Organic Soup Kitchen, and Ambassador Award to Marybeth Carty, Executive Director of the Natalie Orfalea Foundation.
Jesse Brisendine, certified life coach, speaker, and author, gave a moving testimonial about children’s grief and the power of HSB’s children’s bereavement counseling program that takes place in all local secondary schools. He noted that HSB’s children’s programs have seen a more than 115% increase in the first half of 2018 over 2017.
Selberg also thanked partners in the audience for their tireless work including Dr. Charles Fenzi, Chief Executive Officer of Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics; Diana Rigby, Carpinteria Unified School District Superintendent; Dr. Donna S. Lewis, Goleta Union School District Superintendent; Elise Simmons, Santa Barbara High School Principal; Bill Woodward, Dos Pueblos High School Principal; Rachael Steidl, Advisor and Founder of Youth Wellness Coalition; and Maria Chesley, Executive Director of Carpinteria Children’s Project.
Hospice of Santa Barbara provides professional counseling, support groups, and patient care services free of charge to individuals and families who are grieving the death of a loved one or experiencing the impact of a life-threatening illness. Hospice of Santa Barbara also provides counseling in our offices and on twelve local junior and high school campuses to children and teens who are grieving the loss of a loved one. For more information about Hospice of Santa Barbara, including volunteer opportunities, call (805) 563-8820 or visit www.hospiceofsantabarbara.org