San Francisco is overflowing these days with haute holiday events from fundraisers to benefit children to the swell set mingling with one another. Here’s a look at just a few of the events that have taken place this month, including a sleigh full of images at the end.
Holiday Heroes
Justin Tuck
Photo Credit: Drew Altizer Photography
Bay Area sports “heroes” and notables gathered for an evening of holiday fun at AT&T Park for the Wender Weis Foundation for Children’s (WWFC) sixth annual Holiday Heroes event. Kids of all ages – including 300 children from the foundation’s benefiting organizations- had the exclusive opportunity to meet local athletes, gain rare access to the San Francisco Giants’ dugout and batting tunnels, and enjoy ballpark fare during this one-of-a-kind holiday celebration.
Sports stars such as San Francisco Giants’ Chris Heston, San Francisco 49ers’ Eric Heitmann, Donald Strickland, Shayne Skov, Carlos Hyde, Dennis Brown and Michael Wilhoite, San Jose Earthquakes’ Chris Wondolowski and Khari Stephenson, Golden State Warriors’ alum Adonal Foyle, San Jose Sharks alum Owen Nolan and US Olympians Jonny Moseley, Kristi Yamaguchi and Bret Hedican were all on hand to help children stuff teddy bears, make stockings, sign autographs and more. Oakland Raider Justin Tuck had his own “corner” on the stadium’s club level where he read books to a captive audience of children.
In addition, WWFC founder Amy Wender-Hoch presented the third annual Inspiration Award – sponsored by Level Construction Supply – to Yamaguchi and Hedican to recognize the positive impact they have made on Bay Area communities through Yamaguchi’s Always Dream Foundation. ABC/7’s Kristen Sze emceed the event.
Naughty or Nice Holiday Luncheon
Seth Matarasso, OJ Shansby and Gary Shansby
Photo Credit: Drew Altizer Photography
Dr. Seth Matarasso and OJ and Gary Shansby hosted their annual Naughty or Nice holiday luncheon at Bimbo’s 365. The trio welcomed San Francisco’s social set, which included Dede Wilsey, George and Charlotte Shultz, Yurie and Carl Pascarella, Athena and Timothy Blackburn, Ted and Pamala Deikel, Denise Hale, Sloan Barnett, Ken Fulk, Trevor Traina, Jack Calhoun, Pam Baer, Sen. Mark Leno and Sako Fisher.
White Tie Ball
Bill Gisvold, Giselle Farris and John Rosin
The Sovereign Order of St. John San Francisco Commandery celebrated its annual White Tie Ball at the Ritz-Carlton San Francisco Hotel on Dec. 5th. Walt Joyce chaired and John Rosin co-chaired A “Buon Natale” Christmas, which drew notables from San Francisco and the South Bay, including John and Sue Sobrato, Sheri Sobrato Brisson, Joy Venturini Bianchi, Giselle Farris, Navid Armstrong, Tanya Powell, Doug Waggener, Natalia Urrutia and Mark Calvano. Members and guests enjoyed a wonderful evening and raised funds for three select nonprofits: Operation Freedom Paws, Digging Deep and George Mark Children’s House. Funds raised were split amongst the three selected charities.
Photo Credit: Drew Altizer Photography
