Legends & Legacy at the Hard Rock Hotel Brings in $200,000 for Vista Hill Programs

Robert Dean, President & CEO of Vista Hill, introduced Darlyn and Chuck Davenport, winners of the IMBY award (In My Back Yard) by flashing a photo of the outstanding volunteer couple with Elvis himself.  

Vista Hill Video

The Davenports have been actively supporting Vista Hill and other local organizations for many years, and the standing ovation showed that the audience was very appreciative of their philanthropic endeavors.  Mr. Dean introduced Cecil H. Steppe and Vicki Hamilton, chairs of the two boards which help guide Vista Hill.

Special underwriter Audrey S. Geisel was enthusiastically acknowledged along with Elaine Lipinsky, Virginia Napierskie, the Thomas and Theodora Lynch Fleming Foundation, Ingrid Hibben, San Diego National Bank, Vista Hill Board of Directors, and Anonymous.  An additional underwriting gift of $25,000 from Darlene and Donald Shiley was announced at the event, much to the audience's pleasure.

Two generations of Vista Hill supporters served as Honorary Co-chairs: Jan and Dave Mullin and their daughter and son-in-law Rachel and Pino Ficara.  Jan and Rachel took part in a new Vista Hill video which was shown to give guests an idea of the breadth of the services which Vista Hill offers to the community in the areas of mental health, substance abuse, and developmental disabilities.  Carol LeBeau, Friends of Vista Hill Advisory Board member, narrated the video.

Mr. Steppe served as energetic auctioneer and cheerleader by encouraging the entire group to get into the fund raising mood.  He then called on Super Diamond to take the stage, and the dance floor was immediately alive with dinner guests as well as those who had come just for the Encore Party (dessert and entertainment). 

Dinner was arugula and endive salad with duck, goat cheese, red onions and figs dressed with an orange sesame vinaigrette; yuzu, kefir lime and ginger marinated Chilean sea bass with mushrooms, sesame soy beurre blanc; sea salt filet mignon, creamy polenta with goat cheese and fall root vegetables; assorted breads and creamy butter; special coffees and teas; and assorted, delicious, sweet treats. 

Other members of the Gala Committee were Tamara Alter, Alana Asmussen, Renee Bannasch, Lynn Cihak, Connie Conard, Valerie Cooper, Liz Copley, Carleigh Gold, Cherie Halladay, Nicole Hamilton, Vicki Hamilton, Carlee Harmonson, Marilyn Johns, Andrea Karrow, Elaine Lipinsky, Debra McGinty-Poteet, Marie Miehls , Ann Mound, Rachel Peniche, Susan Roth, Angela Rowe, Terri Shives, and Beckie Van Houten.

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