Raphael House Gala Raises Record Funds

Raphael House Board members Melissa Koerner and Judy Davies with Susan Atherton

We are thrilled to report that our 19th Annual One Home, Many Hearts Gala, “A Golden Tomorrow,” raised more than $643,000—making it Raphael House’s highest grossing fundraiser to date! The event, which took place on Saturday, May 14 at San Francisco’s Palace Hotel, was co-chaired by Josselyn Eccleston and Laura Larsen, and was our largest Gala to date with 570 guests in attendance. We are truly grateful to and inspired by the outpouring of generosity from everyone who attended and participated in this important event to help families who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness achieve long-term stability and financial independence. We are especially grateful to our premier sponsors Barneys New York and Pacific Gas and Electric Company, and to each and every one of our corporate sponsors, family sponsors, in-kind donors, committee members, and volunteers who made this year’s Gala possible.

Josselyn Accleston, Laura Larsen, Kate Smith — Gala Co-Chairs Josselyn Eccleston and Laura Larsen with Raphael House Board Chair Kate Smith

Highlights of the evening’s excitement included a cocktail reception, where guests enjoyed the exceptional sound of Bay Area Jazz singer and former Raphael House resident Amanda King; an exclusive wine-for-your table auction that allowed guests to bid on premium wine magnums ranging from $70–$550; an elegant 3-course meal; an enthusiastic live auction emceed by KCBS “Foodie Chap,” Liam Mayclem; a moving speech by former Raphael House resident Whitney Petrey, who joined the stage with her sons before the fund-a-need portion of the evening to share how the ongoing support she’s received from Raphael House has helped the family achieve stability; and finally, closing out the fabulous evening was a packed after-party, where guests enjoyed dancing to the sounds of DJ Michael Cibula.

Bennett Pitre — Former Raphael House resident Whitney Petrey and sons Finley and Bennett

  Net proceeds from the One Home, Many Hearts Gala will support Raphael House’s mission by contributing directly to our operating budget. As we continue to expand our Bridge Program services—to increase the number of families we serve annually from 300 to 500, by 2017—the Gala has also played a crucial role in building awareness about family homelessness in our community and the need for additional services. The One Home, Many Hearts Gala: A Golden Tomorrow was made possible by Barneys New York and Pacific Gas and Electric Company, our premier sponsors. Additional corporate sponsors included: Advantest, Audi, Bank of the West, British-American Business Council, Burberry, Cooley LLP, Durie Tangri LLP, Erin Lampe Design, Genesys, Hanson Bridgett LLP, Jones Day LLP, Keker & Nest LLP, Nob Hill Gazette, Pacific Union Community Fund, R3 Builders, RINA Accountancy Corporation, Regis Management Company, Riviera Partners, Serenity MedSpa, Treana, Union Square Advisors, and Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati Foundation. Our family sponsors include: Susan Atherton, Joannie and Evan Ericson, Marny and Andrew Homan, Melissa and Jan Koerner, Susan and Niels Larsen, Trudy and Charles M. Salter, and Terra and Erich Sollman. For a full list of everyone who supported the event, visit our One Home, Many Hearts Gala event page.

Ralph Payton, Liam Mayclem — Raphael House Executive Director Ralph Payton and KCBS’s Liam Mayclem

David Lowell, Claudia Ross — Former Raphael House Executive Director Fr. David Lowell and former Board Chair Claudia Ross

Cecily Olson, Erin Reeser, Kate Smith, Molly O'Brien, Melissa Koener, Laura Larsen, Josselyn Eccleston, Victoria Dade, Genevieve Weeks, Jessica Colburn, Kiley Mar, Lillian Everdell — Raphael House Gala Committee: Cecily Olson, Erin Reeser (Raphael House Events Manager), Kate Smith, Molly O’Brien, Melissa Koerner, Laura Larsen, Josselyn Eccleston, Victoria Dade, Genevieve Weeks, Jessica Colburn, Kiley Mar, Lillian Everdell. Committee Members not pictured: Susan Atherton, Judy Davies, Marzanne DeLoof, Joannie Ericson, Katie Hicks, Amy Lebastchi, Michele Lee, Paige Olson, Katie Shumays, Marissa Thieriot, and Vanessa Welstead.

To view the full collection of photos from the event, visit Drew Altizer Photography.  

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