Emilio Nares’ memory and a spirit of service at heart of upcoming fundraiser

By Dave Fidlin

With a beaming smile and an unmistakable laugh that could lighten the mood in almost any setting, Emilio Nares was known for the joy he brought at such a young age.

But Emilio, who succumbed to leukemia in 2000 at age 5, had another character trait — bravery — that will be forever etched in the minds of the people who interacted with him. That spirit of joy and giving are at the heart of the upcoming Harvest for Hope fundraiser.

Drawing from first-hand experience, Emilio’s parents, Mission Hills residents Richard and Diane Nares, established the Emilio Nares Foundation in his honor. The foundation offers assistance, including hospital transportation and meals, to families of children battling leukemia and other serious illnesses.

“After (Emilio) passed away, my wife and I really wanted to give back, knowing what we know,” Richard said. “We just wanted to share our experiences.”

Since its inception in 2003, one of the cornerstones of the Emilio Nares Foundation is Harvest for Hope, an event designed to bring the community together and raise money that benefit the assorted services offered by the organization.

Harvest for Hope, which debuted the same year as the foundation itself, is entering its 12th year. This year’s benefit — scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 13 — will be held on the outdoor deck of the Central Library Downtown.

As has been the case the past 11 years, Harvest for Hope is designed to be a fun, breezy affair that dually shines the spotlight on the serious issue of severe childhood illnesses and what goes into the treatment process.

“It’s a difficult journey,” said Diane, who has worked in the food and beverage industry for more than 25 years. “Hearing your child has cancer is one of the most difficult words you can hear from your pediatrician. Everyone’s hopes and aspirations come to a stop at that point.”

While the Nares took a brief sabbatical after Emilio lost his brave battle, they have spent the past dozen years building up the foundation. Within the past year, Diane gleefully said the organization has evolved.

“We have been able to grow our transportation program, which we’ve been very excited about,” Diane said. “There has been a huge need, and we’ve realized there are some people that aren’t being cared for.”

Learning a loved one has a condition such as leukemia obviously is a weighty hand dealt in life — a reality the Nares known all too well — and the goal behind the transportation programs is to assist with some of the everyday issues.

Some of the families transporting children diagnosed with serious medical conditions to and from Rady Children’s Hospital — the same venue where Emilio received his treatments, when it was still known as Children’s Hospital of San Diego — have struggled with transportation issues, particularly those who rely on public transit as their sole mode and contend with added bus fares.

After the most recent expansion of the transportation program, the foundation operates two service vans and employs two full-time drivers in San Diego. On average, the foundation transports about 40 families to and from the Rady facility.

More recently, the foundation also has expanded in a northerly direction, forging a relationship with Children’s Hospital of Orange County. Families in Orange and Imperial counties have been privy to some of the foundation’s services through a passenger van.

While transportation is one of the foundation’s main focal points, it is not the sole service. The Nares have created a resource center within Rady where families can gather important information, including housing, financial assistance and other weighty issues families might contend with upon hearing serious news.

As the Nares pause briefly to focus attention on this year’s Harvest for Hope, Diane said she is excited about this year’s program, which puts the spotlight on local restaurateurs and other food service providers. The itinerary includes food and beverage stations and a live and silent auction.

The Snake Oil Cocktail Company, located downtown, is a newcomer to this year’s fundraiser. Bartenders will serve an assortment of craft beers, spirits and wines that span the globe. Local musicians Lori Bell and Ron Satterfield will provide entertainment.

This year’s food participants replicate the disparate eateries that dot San Diego’s landscape: The list includes Acqua A1 2, AR Valentien, Brooklyn Girl, Café Chloe, Carnitas’ Snack Shack, Croce’s Park West, Don Chido, Jsix, Rustic Root and Toast Enoteca.

Diane said this year’s fundraising goal has been notched upward to $130,000. Alongside that benchmark are grander visions of expanding the Emilio Nares Foundation’s programs and mission statement even further.

“Every family should be able to take care of their most basic needs when their child is receiving treatments,” she said. “It should be done in an honorable way.”

—Contact Dave Fidlin at [email protected].