Dec 2, 2007

Gifts were plentiful at league's holiday luncheon

By Adria Murray / Society Columnist

Throughout the year, the women of the Community Service League of Burlingame donate their time, talents and treasury in the spirit of giving, enriching the lives of the many mentally ill, homeless and disabled people of San Mateo County through their support of the Mental Health Association and Youth and Family Enrichment Services.

But during the holidays, the giving gets bigger.

At the league's 30th annual "Gifts of the Season" holiday auction and luncheon held on Friday at the Peninsula Golf and Country Club, 200 attendees had the opportunity to shop for MHA and YFES' individual program needs. With the "Fill a Shopping Bag with Hope" fundraising drive, luncheon guests had the opportunity to purchase items ranging from client transportation to doctors appointments ($10) and groceries for dinner at Spring Street Shelter ($25) to suicide prevention education at one middle school ($100) and a large screen television with DVD player for the Spring Street Shelter community room ($1,500).

In addition to the Fund-a-Need drive, attendees bid on silent auction items organized and donated by the 30 Community Service League members, including jewelry and clothing from local boutiques, children's toys and games, and gift baskets brimming with coffee, chocolate and cookie decorating necessities.

Former state Sen. Jackie Speier was happy to once again fill the role of auctioneer. At last year's event, as Speier recalled, it was her first day as a civilian again. In addition to donating freshwater pearls (won by Angela Nomellini), Speier got the auction going by encouraging a few bidding wars.

After bidding went back and forth several times on a deluxe Community Service League Kitchen Tour package for eight - complete with door-to-door limo service and lunch at Viognier - Speier declared Susie Huetteman and Sheila McWilliams the winners, selling the popular auction lot twice. McWilliams also took home the afternoon's highest-priced auction item, "An Urban Sleuthing Adventure" for 30 by San Francisco Treasure Hunts.

Winning a garden tea party for 20, Bebelu Wishart (who won the party last year) and Kathie Kleiman were excited to be hosting the shindig together. Celebrating her husband's first day of retirement, Suzie Blount was delighted to win a week's stay in Kauai for her family to enjoy together.

"My husband has always wanted to go to Hawaii," Blount said. "And now we have the chance to go."

Also winning a week's stay at the Princeville, Kauai, condo donated by Bernice and Bernadette Borja-Sy, was Linnell Binn.

During the luncheon, league co-presidents Cindy Vogt and Ann Malouf had the honor of introducing this year's Outstanding Volunteer Award to 10-year Community Service League member Karen Hook.

"She has done so much over the years," Vogt said. From donating her home for the league's signature Kitchen Tour, to holding positions as president, secretary and board member, Malouf and Vogt said Hook never ceases to find ways to help. "And she's cheerful and fun, too," Malouf added.

Among the many ways league members give, Mental Health Association executive director Melissa Platte said that the time they spend volunteering with the Friendship Center Program is "even more meaningful to our clients than dollars." The Friendship Center Program offers recreation, social and learning opportunities for adults with mental illness.

Marking 37 years of service, the Mental Health Association of San Mateo County has evolved from its early days as an advocacy group to become a provider of 14 direct service programs at nine facilities, including those providing emergency shelter, transitional housing and permanent supportive housing.

"In many regards, we've sort of grown up together," said Platte, of the Mental Health Association and Community Service League's partnership.

In addition to the Mental Health Association, the league's charitable contributions also aid individuals and families through Youth and Family Enrichment Services to overcome abuse, addiction, trauma and mental health issues.

Over the Community Service League's 30-year history, the organization has donated over $1 million to its charities.

E-mail Adria Murray at amurray@dailynewsgroup.com.