Silver Trowel Award Dinner 2014
Thank you to everyone who attended our Silver Trowel Award Dinner on Thursday, October 23, at the San Francisco Film Centre. It was our most successful Silver Trowel yet, measured by the fun, goodwill generated and the funds raised to support our programs.
Pictured left to right: Slide Ranch Board Chair Suzette Clarke, General Superintendent of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area Frank Dean, Slide Ranch Founder Doug Ferguson, Slide Ranch Executive Director Marika Bergsund.
Almost 200 supportive donors and sponsors enjoyed a night of gourmet food, top-flight wines, memorable entertainment and fabulous fundraising. Hosted by our Presenting Sponsor J.P. Morgan along with sponsors Sidecar, Deutsche Bank and Goldman Sachs, it was an incredible evening of vision and support for Slide Ranch.
A series of heartfelt presentations helped set the evening’s tone. This year’s Silver Trowel Award was given to General Superintendent of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Frank Dean, who gave a moving speech about the synergy and impact of the two organizations.
Romayn Martin from San Francisco’s youth mentoring and violence prevention organization Old Skool Café, gave a stirring talk about the life-enhancing effect of his experiences during a program at Slide Ranch. Board Chair, Suzette Clarke, introduced Mark Cavagnero and his partner Kang Kiang of Mark Cavagnero Associates, plus Paul Kephardt of Rana Creek Landscape Architects---the designers on board to design Slide Ranch's new facilities. She also revealed Slide Ranch’s new interactive online curriculum to expand and deepen the educational impact of Slide Ranch, and shared the Slide Ranch Chef’s Collective, an exciting new farm-to-table partnership with top San Francisco Bay Area restaurants to support the educational programming for youth as well as provide financial support for Slide. Guests were also treated to three memorable and intimate performances by Grammy Award Winner singer/songwriter, Billy Dean.
Guests were also treated to three memorable and intimate performances by Grammy Award Winner singer/songwriter, Billy Dean. Guests talked while dining on a three-course meal by Bi-rite Catering, including bison donated by Omaha Steaks and a seasonal specialty cocktail featuring fresh Slide produce the “Slidecar” created by the amazing mixologists of Twenty Five Lusk. Guests sipped top flight wine donated by Corkbuzz, Gargiulo Vineyards, Guild of Sommeliers and Wine.com.
After dinner, the live auction and Fund-a-Need took place. With a range of unique experiences from glamping at Slide Ranch with Shelter Co. to wine class parties on vintage wines and Southern Italian wines at your own home, the bidding was fiercely competitive and fun. In attendance were many of the auction package donors who added even more momentum to the bidding while auctioneer Ed Gold helped rally the crowd’s enthusiasm. Coupled with a fast and furious Fund-a-Need, this year’s Silver Trowel raised a record-breaking amount of money for our education programs. We were amazed - thank you!
It really was an outstanding event and we are incredibly grateful to everyone for the enormous generosity and love shown to Slide Ranch during our 7th Silver Trowel Award Dinner.
Photos by Jeff Young.
Thank You to Our Supporters
Presenting Sponsor:
Silver Trowel Sponsors:
Alton Family, Suzette and Jeff Clarke, Robert Goldberg, Hoffner Family, Manus Family Foundation, Sunil Paul, Meme and Peter Scherr, Katie Stoia and Rony Maoz
Bronze Trowel Sponsors:
Corey Block, Leighton Hills, Loft Family, Laura McDonnell and James Margolis, Brian Platter and Abby Adlerman Platter
In-Kind Donations for Wine, Dinner and Decor:
Slide Ranch thanks the following friends and partners for their auction donations:
1300 on Fillmore • A16 • 25 Lusk • Alcatraz Cruises • Blue Waters Kayaking • Cantina • Clift Hotel • Colgin Cellars • Corkbuzz • Cowgirl Creamery • Delfina Restaurant Group • flour + water • Frog’s Leap Winery • Heidrun Meadery • Hudson Ranch • Industrial Light and Magic • Insalata’s • Iron Horse Vineyards • Janet Lewin • Jardiniere Kayne Raymond • Kongsgaard Winery • Laura Maniec • Levi Strauss & Co • Lucasfilm, Ltd • Manka’s Inverness Lodge • Michael Mina • Patz & Hall • Quince • Restaurant Gary Danko • Rudd Oakville Estate • Saltwater • Schramsberg Vineyards • Shelly Lindgren • Shelter Company • Sir & Star at The Olema • SPQR • Stable Cafe • Stag Dining • State Bird Provisions • The Velvet Room • Wayfare Tavern • Wine.com
Event Committee
Suzette Clarke, Margo Green, Claire Hudson, Laura McDonnell, Kate Stoia.
Couldn't make this year's event? Make gift online today!
Slide Ranch is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We have been planting kids in nature since 1970. We connect Bay Area children to sustainable farming and healthy eating, and inspire environmental stewardship. Funds raised at the Silver Trowel Award Dinner support our life-enhancing nature-based education programs. If you weren't able to make this year's event, you can still make a difference by making a tax-deductible gift.