San Francisco Giant’s Pitcher, Brian Wilson with Corey and his sister, Clare at the Giant’s v Astros Game in August.

Support those with ALS!

The COREY CRUSADERS Event will be held at the Claremont Country Club on Saturday, October 22 starting at 6:30pm with cocktails, dinner, dancing, and a short program on ALSTDI. ALSTDI is the biotech drug development lab that is hot after stopping ALS and that operates as a charity.  There is no charge to attend and fundraising is limited to an appeal to donate to help ALSTDI with an equipment purchase or program support.  The event is intended to be fun and provide the members with a chance to thank all of their supporters.  This is the fourth year of the event and in each of the prior years they have raised about $500,000 for a total exceeding $1.5 million!!!

Go to bat for Corey and others with ALS!

XOXO! Debbi

Jammin’ Together at Miss Pearl’s

Members of the Children’s Support League of the East Bay (CSL) together with homeowners and underwriters of the 2011 Heart of the Home Tour and representatives of non-profit agencies who were 2010 home tour beneficiaries were “jammin’ at a fabulous cocktail party which took place at Miss Pearl’s Jam House at Jack London Square last Thursday. The fun-filled evening sponsored by CSL’s 2011 Hospitality Partner kicked off the 2011 tour festivities, setting the stage for a successful April 29-30 fundraiser. CSL’s 23rd annual Home Tour will feature five stunning homes in Piedmont and the Oakland hills plus a boutique, lunch and raffle at the Piedmont Community Center. General admission tickets and VIP ticket packages are available in advance either online or from members and a variety of area merchants. For more information, visit CSL’s website at www.WeHelpKids.org .  f you would like to volunteer, please contact Co-Tour Chair and Staffing Chair, Debbi DiMaggio at 510.414.6777 or debbi@debbidimaggio.com .

While listening to lively jazz music provided pro bono by a trio from Shades of Gray, the festive group enjoyed delicious hors d’oeuvres and wine pourings from three East Bay urban wineries: Cerruti Cellars, Oakland; Blue Note Winery, Berkeley; and Rock Wall Winery, Alameda. All profits from wine purchases and 25% of the tab from guests who stayed for a late dinner at Miss Pearl’s were donated to CSL to help raise money for at risk East Bay children. As an added bonus, Larry Everton, General Manager of the Waterfront Hotel at Jack London Square where Miss Pearl’s is located, opened the hotel’s palatial fifth floor Presidential Suite for guests to enjoy the fabulous waterfront view with twinkling city lights on the horizon.

Stephanie Dauer, CSL’s President, welcomed her “friends,” guests and members whose generous contributions have made the home tour possible. She stressed that the party was a great way to meet representatives of the agencies served by CSL and learn about their wonderful programs that positively impact underserved kids in our community. She also introduced Barney Fonzi, Publisher of Diablo magazine. Barney noted that Diablo was thrilled to be CSL’s Media Partner for two consecutive years and was looking forward to a continued relationship that fosters support of non-profit agencies serving numerous families in our East Bay neighborhoods. Last year’s CSL home tour raised $165,000 and benefited 24 non-profit agencies in Alameda and Contra Costa County. To date CSL has raised over $2.5 million for underserved East Bay children. CSL encourages everyone to support this year’s “backyard” charitable cause; the need is very grave for many nearby families.