Courtesy photo.
SANTA BARBARA — Hospice of Santa Barbara (HSB) is pleased to honor special heroes in our community at its 6th annual Heroes of Hospice “Jewels by the Sea” luncheon on September 12. The event will be held at the Four Seasons Biltmore, Coral Casino in Santa Barbara from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Partnership Award–Cottage Children’s Medical Center Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Nancy Alvarado, coordinator, Sebastian Lebeau, Social Worker, Dr. David J Slomiany MD Debra Launius, RN, Paralee Schmechel, RN
Partnership Award, Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation, Lindsey Leonard, Executive Director
Partnership Award – Cottage Children’s Medical Center Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation
At Cottage Children’s Medical Center Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, child patients receive personalized, comprehensive care from medical professionals. The Cancer Care and Hematology Clinic at Cottage Health is recognized as a Special Care Center (SCC) by the state of California, meaning that children with acute and chronic conditions can receive comprehensive care covered by California’s Children’s Services. Cottage Health supports families that apply to financial assistance programs, which are available through local and national cancer foundations such as the Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation.
Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation (TCBF) provides financial and emotional support to families of children with cancer living in Santa Barbara, Ventura, and San Luis Obispo counties. Since 2002, TBCF has worked to provide families with financial assistance for critical needs, such as rent assistance and family support groups.
Legacy Award–Montecito Bank & Trust, Janet Garufis, Chairman and CEO
Legacy Award — Montecito Bank & Trust opened its first branch in 1975 and grew to become the largest locally-owned community bank along the Central Coast. Montecito Bank & Trust’s commitment to serve its community members, as demonstrated by the 5,200-plus hours its employees spend volunteering for local organizations every year. Since 2013, the bank’s Community Dividends program has donated $1 million annually to organizations throughout Ventura and Santa Barbara counties.
Volunteer Award–Organic Soup Kitchen, Andrea Slaby, CEO and Anthony Carroccio, Executive Director
Volunteer Award — Organic Soup Kitchen has delivered high-quality, nutritious foods to residents facing dire health and financial challenges since 2009. The organization serves low-income cancer patients while working with local farmers to reduce food waste and carbon footprint. Organic Soup Kitchen also assists veterans, low-income seniors, and the Women’s Free Homeless Clinic.
Ambassador Award—Marybeth Carty
Ambassador Award—Marybeth Carty has more than 15 years’ experience working in community partnerships, corporate philanthropy, and social responsibility and has spent the last 25 years in board leadership and service positions. Carty is the Executive Director of the Natalia Orfalea Foundation, a local organization focused on early childhood education, youth development, school food programs, and disaster readiness. Carty was also instrumental in the establishment of HSB’s Compassionate Care of Carpinteria program.
Ticket reservations for Heroes of Hospice are available online and by contacting (805) 563-8820 orcpuyot@hospiceofsb.org.
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 eleven 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.
