On April 21, 2012 more than 300 attendees took part in our annual festive black-tie affair, celebrating 36 years in the community, at the Loews Coronado Bay Resort. The guest list included local business and community leaders, such as Congressman Bob Filner, Chula Vista Police Chief David Bejarano, and Margaret Iwanaga-Penrose, UPAC. The evening transported guests to the land of Arabian Nights with a beautifully decorated foyer that provided the setting for the cocktail hour. Guests were treated to an array of Arabian delicacies, including sweets, hummus and pita, olives, and fruit as they sipped wine, perused the fabulous silent auction and posed for pictures complete with masks and a powerful genie in a custom floral gazebo photo booth.
Master of Ceremonies Reo Carr, Editor-in-Chief of San Diego’s leading business newspaper, the San Diego Business Journal, led the dinner program. An evening highlight, which provided insight to living with a disability, was Louis Frick, Executive Director, sharing his personal story and commitment to living independently as a person with a disability.
The charitable organization Nice Guys received the “Community Excellence Award” for their efforts in the San Diego community and Alex Montoya, from the San Diego Padres, accepted the “Lead On Award,” honoring him for enhancing the rights and dignity of people with disabilities and for his demonstrated commitment to carrying out the spirit and challenges of disability awareness, education and inclusiveness.
The evening included a spirited live auction and featured a performance from the Middle-Eastern belly dancing duo, The Shimmy Sisters, who energized guests, many of whom ended the event on the dance floor shimmying to the sounds of Arabian Nights.
We would like to whole-heartedly thank those who gave of their time and resources, our Honorary Gala Chair, Mark Guglielmo, Gala Co-Chairs, Frank and Caren Urtasun, Auction Co-Chairs Nicholas and Clara Aguilera, the 2012 Host Committee and our generous sponsors. The momentum has been phenomenal and we thank you for your support.
