G.O.L.D. Diggers (Gifts of Loving Donors) presented the 26th annual Hats Off to San Diego 2019 on April 11 at the Admiral Kidd Club. The event began with a champagne social and silent auction. The honorary chairs were Priscilla and Keith Webb. Russ T. Nails (Russell Stolnack) was the master of ceremonies. Julie Ann Kelso was awarded the Gold Digger of the Year Award and Isabelle Piccini was given the Founders Award. Each year, different charity organizations participate in this event by creating a hat in the current year’s theme, which was “Hats Off to our Heroes!” The hats are first judged for the best theme by a panel of judges and then The Betty Mabee Parade of Hats begins. There were 13 organizations coming down the runway showing off their creations. The audience then votes for their favorite hat. The first place 18-Karat Gold Award of $2,500 went to the Social Service League of Jolla. This hat celebrated women around the world and those living in the community. B.A.B.E.S. (Beating Alzheimer’s By Embracing Science) came in a close second for $1,500. Their hat was under the Star-Spangled Eagle with Red Poppies symbolizing remembrance and respect of the real heroes. Angels of Aseltine received the third place of the 49th Award of $1,000. The hat was a replica of their school and the flag at the top represents “Our Heroes” who are the teachers and the staff.
B.A.B.E.S. and a New PATH tied for the Best theme for $750 each. A New PATH constructed 65 percent of their hat from recycled boxes used to house doses of the life-saving drug Naloxone that reverses an opioid overdose. Every year a Wild Card is drawn and the Autism Tree Project was picked for $750. Autism Tree Project created a hat with Winne the Pooh who was supporting all the volunteer heroes that were represented by glittering hearts. All the other organizations received $500 for participating. There was a drawing for a $500 Money Hat and the winner was Margaret Cook.
This year the beneficiaries were Honor Flight San Diego and the enlisted program (STEP). HFSD escorts veterans to Washington, D.C. to visit memorials there. STEP ensures every military and veteran family has their basic needs taken care of and that they become financially self-sufficient. Each one of these groups received $5,000 for their contribution to the community. The Gold Diggers (Gifts Of Loving Donors) gives to community members with special needs such as children, the elderly, crime victims and others. They support programs that render services in these areas by assisting them with funding, services and donations. For more information about this nonprofit organization, visit golddiggerssandiego.org. Here is to another 26 years of GOLD! Upcoming events
– Saturday, May 11 – Mother’s Day brunch and fashion show with Bad Madge & Co. and featuring Jennafer Grace from 10 a.m. to noon. This event includes mimosas and tea room modeling at the Ivy Street Coworking, located at 2986 Ivy St. For tickets, call 619-203-4944.
– Friday, May 24 – Cocktails & Couture featuring a fashion show with Lizz Russell designs at the Westgate Hotel beginning at 6:30 p.m. Proceeds go to GBS/CIDP San Diego Chapter Awareness Fundraiser. For more information, visit westgatehotel.com.
Diana Cavagnaro is an internationally renowned Couture Milliner based in the Historic Gaslamp Quarter. Learn more about our Hat Designer, Teacher & Blogger at www.DianaCavagnaro.com