Hundreds of the finest-dressed La Jolla and San Diego supporters of charitable causes made the annual pilgrimage to the La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club for the 64th Jewel Ball.

Jewel Ball entertainment.

(For more event photos go to: CAUSE.)

^{Photo by Cause for Celebration}

The annual event is a keynote of San Diego’s social season and a dependable “wow” for anyone who attends. With a sunny sunset and brisk Pacific winds, inspiring music and made-to-awe décor, this year’s occasion was mod, chic, and fun.

Who Came?: Jewel Ball Chair Lise Wilson, co-chairs Lisa Albanez and Kristi Pieper and president Tracy Lyon and the members of Las Patronas, a circle of giving that has brought millions of dollars to San Diego charities and causes. In her role as past-chair, Jennifer Greenfield joined her husband Richard in warmly greeting guests upon their arrival. As gracious servers wove through the assembling crowd, offering guests glasses of celebratory champagne, the cheerful conversations of friends, old and new, set a joyful tone for the evening’s festivities.

The gala’s Heart + Soul theme inspired many women to dress the part: Turning out on the arms of their tuxedo-clad partners in gowns of red, black, white and shimmering silver were Maree Mossmer, Guylin Cummins, Eileen Pelky, Vonda Pratt, Mary Greif, Cristull Hasson, Effie Lundiberg, Lee Clark, Martha Dennis and Lorna McKellar. Others, including Lisa Casey, Jennifer Greenfield, Debby Fishburn, Betty Peabody, and Frances Marshall, fittingly chose jewel-toned gowns for the celebration.

The Cause: Inspired by the kindness and generosity of its hard-working, all-volunteer members, Las Patronas is dedicated to enhancing the collective quality of life in our community. Through their thoughtful grant process, Las Patronas raises funding for critically-needed capital projects benefiting nonprofit organizations that provide valuable community services in the areas of health, education, social services and cultural arts. The source of the organization’s grant funding is derived from the Jewel Ball – one of San Diego’s most enduring social, cultural and philanthropic traditions. Among the charitable causes benefiting from this year’s gala are Friends of Balboa Park, Magdalena Ecke Family YMCA, Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, NTC Foundation, Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego, Scripps Health Foundation, SPORTS for Exceptional Athletes, The Emilio Nares Foundation, the Old Globe, and UCSD Division of Biological Sciences.

The Good-Hearted: La Patronas extended special thanks to Bill Kellogg and John Campbell of the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club, and to Robert Armstrong, Don Caulfield, Robert Cutting, Anthony Griffin, Torrey Lee, Ken Miracle, Steve Redfearn, and Jim Roth. Scores of private, foundation, and corporate supporters played their unique roles in the gala’s success, led by “Crown Jewel” supporters James and Dianne Bashor, the J. Crivello Foundation, Caroline and Nicolas Nierenberg, and Qualcomm, Inc.

The Creative: This year’s Jewel Ball transformed the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club, beginning with Voices for Praze offering gospel-inspired vocals as guests gathered outside a huge flower-styled portal. Jewel Ball Designer Kimberly Lee created a sleek and elegant contemporary design. The interior courtyards were filled with handcrafted large paper roses, walls of paper chains, and mod hanging lanterns. The formal dining area featured clear-acrylic topped tables, white-upholstered chairs and glass vases displaying bold arrangements of upside-down crimson roses and calla lilies. Artistic walls of roses were washed with colored lighting and after sunset the tables were lit with a vibrant spectrum of LED colors. A sumptuous dinner, catered by The Hyatt of La Jolla, was punctuated with inspiring video presentations about the work of major beneficiaries. The celebration extended into the late-night hours as guests danced to the rhythmic sounds of the Soultones and the Fabulous Thunderbirds. During the cocktail reception, talented Jazz and R&B singer, Rebecca Jade, and her trio entertained guests from a platform above a sparkling pool framed by cascading fountains.

Get Involved: Since its inception in 1946, Las Patronas has donated more than $14 million to at least a thousand San Diego charitable institutions. Every dollar given to Las Patronas touches our community on a very personal level. Supporters can participate in a variety of ways: By purchasing tickets to the annual Jewel Ball, contributing goods or services to the silent auction or opportunity drawing, and advertising in the Jewel Ball Program Book -- a keepsake that captures the magic of the evening in print for years to come.

(For more event photos go to: CAUSE.)