BALBOA PARK -- A team of energetic and philanthropic North County women was at the Prado on May 21 for the Gold Diggers' (Gifts of Loving Donors) 16th annual "Hats Off to San Diego." The theme this year was "Balboa Park: Then and Now." Julie Sarno, president of the Gold Diggers, said the theme was chosen in part because "Balboa Park is the heart and soul of San Diego."
The theme dictated the designs of the hats created by representatives of 10 charities that competed to win some of the money raised by the event. The Gold Diggers welcomed more than 230 members and guests at the event that centers on this annual spectacular "Hat Parade."
North Coast Repertory Theatre in Solana Beach won the Prospector Award of $750. Its hat, built on a sombrero as a tribute to the region's Latino history, displayed a replica of the entrance to Balboa Park, surrounded by birds of paradise, peacock feathers and koi.
Karen Begin, the theater's development director, modeled an autographed Mario Fortuny gown. The ensemble was created by Naima Finnie and Dara Woods Jordan.
One of the major beneficiaries of the event was San Diego County's Meals-On-Wheels, which received a grant of $4,000.
Pat Launer, a Del Mar resident and local theater critic, served as emcee.
Leslie Zwail, also of Del Mar, was the chair of "Hats Off 2009." Other North County women on her committee were Colleen Stein, Holly Smith Jones, Alfi Grube, Amy Peters and Pam Sullivan.
Items filled the silent auction tables, but the most exciting treasure was a pair of diamond and sapphire earrings donated by Diamond Boutique of Del Mar.
Darlenska, who lives in Fallbrook, was there with a rich-looking display of costume jewelry, much of which went out the door with the guest shoppers, making for a sizable contribution from Darlenska. She also donated a necklace for the opportunity drawing.
Since 1993, some of the North County charities that have received help from the Gold Diggers include the Women's Resource Center, Vista Community Clinic, The Country Friends, and the Escondido Humane Society.
The group is committed to awarding $25,000 in grants for 2009. Two of those grants went to North County Repertory Theatre and Casa de Amparo.
Some of the women at the luncheon were Eileen Van Winkle, Janice Goodman, Sue Lewis, Lorna Pannell, Barbara Rogers, Kimberly Heller, Marion Scire, Beverly Kelly, Karen Morikawa, Barbara Rosewarne, Ellie Theofilopoulos, Sheila Gallone, Karen Rowley, Carol Beth Rodriguez, Katrina Dodson, Marion Dodson, Harriet Baker, Jennifer Kelly and Lisa Kendell.
