In Little Italy, Anthology provided chill jazz for a sunny sunset gathering of the LGBT Community’s power donors in support of the Human Dignity Foundation (SDHDF) at its annual Art of Generosity celebration. Honorary co-chairs were Rev. Madison Shockley of Pilgrim United Church of Christ, and Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube of the First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Diego. Drinks on the mezzanine were followed by dinner and awards in Anthology’s club atmosphere, with top honors going to Anna Curren for her leadership in working for the repeal of the “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” policy that snuffs out open LGBT military service.

Who Came?: San Diego man-about-town Tom Blair was there, along with SDHDF Vice-President Robert Wright, who co-chaired the event with Drew Jack. Opportunity drawing tickets, offered by the effervescent Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, San Diego, proved a hit among guests, among them Andy Cu-Unjieng, David Boyle, Austin Chen, Stefan Chilcote, Richard Goldberg, Michael Growe, David Higgins, and Ed Jirgis. After purchasing their tickets, attendees gathered on Anthology’s beautifully-appointed terrace to enjoy an array of refreshing beverages while catching up with friends old and new. Familiar faces in the fashion-forward crowd included Elaine Lanoiselee, David Lang, Jon Lin, Joel Martens, Michel Mathieu and Richard McDonald, Jerral Miles, Lorie Miles, Margaret Miles, Richard McDonald, Laura Mustari, Cliff Schireson, Don Schmidt and Bill Purvis, Neal Sekiya, Sean Sell, Roger Werbeck and James Yang.

Volunteers Sergio Dorantes, Billy Parker

and Andy Poast.

(Forevent photos, go to: CAUSE.)

^{Photo by Cause for Celebration}

Front desk volunteer team Sergio Dorantes, Billy Parker, and Andy Poast cheerfully assisted SDHDF staffers Mariela Jimenez, James Hoscyns and Shanel Gohsler in creating a smooth flow to the evening’s festivities.

The Cause: Founded in 1996, The San Diego Human Dignity Foundation strives to improve the quality of life in San Diego’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community by promoting responsible philanthropy that enacts positive social change. As the sole community foundation in our region dedicated to LGBT people, the Foundation funds programs and projects that uphold equal treatment, tolerance, wellness, and above all else, human dignity. Propelled by the visionary leadership of board president Amy Snyder, vice president Robert Wright and s executive director Tony Freeman, the SDHDF is changing lives and opening hearts across San Diego.

The Good Hearted: A team of local businesses pooled their passion and resources to realize the promise of this year’s gala. The Foundation extended heartfelt thanks to Bamboo Lounge, Bast/Wright Interiors, Blachford-Cooper Foundation, California Bank & Trust, FlawLes, the Galinson Advised Fund of the Jewish Community Foundation, Gay & Lesbian Times, GLT NewsNow.com, Dr. Lester Machado, Mo’s Universe, the RAGE Monthly, SDGLN.com and SDPix.

The Creative: An afternoon of great jazz was followed by dinner by Anthology Chef Eric Bauer and awards for outstanding philanthropy on behalf of San Diego’s many human services organizations. A silent auction offered opportunities for recreation, enhancement, and fun, including dinner with honoree Anna Curren, flowers from Storm Florist, and an aerial tour of San Diego.

Get Involved: Serving as a catalyst and convener of philanthropy, the San Diego Human Dignity Foundation offers well-qualified opportunities for donors to support San Diego charities in several Focus Areas, including Aging, Arts and Culture, Civil Rights, Health and Wellness, Youth and Families. The Foundation works with donors of all ages, backgrounds, affiliations and walks of life to sustain its vital mission: "Connecting People with Causes that Matter." For more information, please visit: Foundation.

(Forevent photos, go to: CAUSE.)