May 19, 2008

'Green' party raises green for West's oldest children's charity

By Adria Murray / Society Columnist

The Edgewood Fair, presented by the Edgewood Auxiliary, has been an annual San Francisco tradition for 42 years. And this year, event co-chairwomen Zoe Bonnette and Kimberly Veley brought back the feel of the original fairs - held at the Hall of Flowers in Golden Gate Park - with their "Green Garden"-themed benefit at the Golden Gate Club in the Presidio on May 6. Featuring greenery and light floral touches, the cocktail reception and shopping boutique (in addition to the May 7 luncheon) raised much-needed funds for the Edgewood Center for Children and Families.

Founded as an orphanage during the Gold Rush, Edgewood Center has evolved over the past 155 years to include numerous programs and facilities in San Francisco and San Mateo counties, providing children in crisis with the shelter and psychiatric treatment they need.

With its innovative, nationally recognized Kinship Program, Edgewood has helped children who've suffered traumas, like abuse, addiction and neglect, to find recovery in the homes of their grandparents, aunts, siblings and other relatives. "Our primary focus is to keep kids with a family member," said director of development Winnie Appleby, about the organization's goal of keeping children out of foster care.

"Youths in our programs have more than two times the success rate," as compared to children who do not receive services, Appleby said. Many of the youths who participate in Edgewood programs go on to graduate from high school and lead independent lives.

While San Francisco's landmark residential facility in the Sunset District is struggling to close the more than $660,000 gap in city funding, San Mateo's headquarters and drop-in facility have been able to sustain their vital programs, including the Kinship, Safe Start and Turning Point programs, which provide youths and their caregivers with therapy and numerous support services.

"We are the largest mental health service for kids in San Mateo County," President and CEO Nancy Rubin said. With a full range of community-based family programs offered, Edgewood San Mateo serves 600 youths and 400 caregivers annually.

After talk of the budget and recent funding cuts subsided, many of the 650 fairgoers perused the exhibitor arts and wares and indulged in the specialty cocktails mixed by Absinthe Brasserie & Bar's Jeff Hollinger (author of "The Art of the Bar") and Todd Smith from Bourbon & Branch. Delicious party-tailored cocktails included the Blueberry Tom Collins and VIP drink - a mixture of gin, ginger-lime syrup and Prosecco.

VIPs seen toasting the evening under the light of the paper lantern-chandeliered tent were auxiliary president Elizabeth Leep, Edgewood communication director Bryce Eberhart and his guests Christina and Erik Eberhart, Board of Directors Vice Chairman Paul Holm, and board members Cynthia Lohr, Paul Touchstone, Michele Chaboudy and Teri Sardonia.

Longtime supporters Megin Scully and Shirley von Karl were also seen making the rounds and taking in the night's entertainment, provided by The Other Woman. Von Karl, the co-chairwomen of Edgewood's Hope Ball in the fall, said she eagerly anticipates the second annual affair, as does Marc Corsi, an honorary ball chairman.

From the event committee to the sponsors and community supporters, everyone involved in the Edgewood Fair had the same mission at heart: to ensure at-risk children and youth a chance for a brighter future. As medical director Dr. Robin Randall put it, "Edgewood takes care of kids at the most vulnerable points in their lives."


Adria Murray's society column appears every Sunday in the Daily News. Send event information to 255 Constitution Dr., Menlo Park, CA 94025 or e-mail amurray@dailynewsgroup.com.