Close to 400 elegantly attired guests enjoyed an afternoon of fun and shopping for that “must have” designer purse at the annual Olive Crest Pick-A-Purse Luncheon on May 7 at the Ontario Doubletree Hotel in Ontario.
The ladies and gentlemen in attendance were definitely on a mission—to support Olive Crest, an organization dedicated to preventing child abuse, to treating and educating at-risk children, and to preserving the family, “One Life at a Time.”
Karen Brown, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Kivett-Teeters Associates, served as emcee; she also served on the Planning Committee for this year’s event.
“Olive Crest has been near and dear to my heart for many years,” said Brown. “One of my dearest friends grew her family with the help of Olive Crest, and that is how this amazing organization first appeared on my radar. Eight years ago, I was invited to attend this event, and it was right up my alley. From an early age, helping others and doing what I could with what I had was important to me. Over the years, that love for helping others continued, and although I may not have always had a lot of money to just write a check, I knew in my heart I had time to give to this worthy cause.”
Guests enjoyed the scrumptious lunch, featuring a summer garden salad, a pan-seared chicken breast served with forest mushroom sauce, wild rice and asparagus, followed by a delectable chocolate mousse cake. Guests were then given the opportunity to participate in many exciting opportunity drawings, to hear about Olive Crest celebrating its 50th anniversary milestone, and to hear about the many programs and services the organization offers for at-risk children and families in our community.
The brands of the featured designer bags included Coach, Kate Spade, Patricia Nash, Michael Kors, Radley London, Thacker Ronnie, Karl Lagerfeld Paris, DKNY. Kristen Salvesen was the lucky winner of the exquisite Alexander McQueen purse valued at $1,500. Her Mom, Kate Salveson, was the lucky winner of the stunning Ben Bridge diamond necklace!
“This year’s theme is ‘Heart of Gold,’ and this theme is all about Olive Crest celebrating its 50th anniversary milestone,” said Tracy Fitzsimmons, executive director of Olive Crest Inland and Desert Communities. “Due to the heartbreaking and significant increase in the number of child abuse and neglect cases reported in our community over the last five years, Olive Crest realizes more must be done to respond to this crisis. Through the generosity of the many amazing women who attend this event, we are able to raise tangible support for the thousands of local children and families who need help. Every year, I am honored and humbled to see the dedication and the eagerness of those who attend to truly make an impact in our community.”
Fitzsimmons brought attendees up to date on Olive Crest’s life-changing programs for abused, neglected and at-risk youth. Walter Mueller, director of development for Olive Crest, explained Olive Crest’s monthly Kids at Heart Monthly Pledge Program, inspiring many guests to sign up on the spot.
It was finally time for the Pick-A-Purse portion of the program, where guests were called up in small groups to select a purse from a dazzling array of designer purses. Guests proceeded to pick a number from a basket that determined the order of that individual’s purse selection. If a guest picked a lower number, that guest was one of the first to select a purse. If a guest picked a higher number, that guest would pick their new purse later on in the selection process. Purses were refreshed throughout the event, so chances were good that each guest would get the purse of their dreams.
This year’s luncheon sponsors included Julie Dirksen, Culver-Newlin, Toyota of Riverside, HUB International, Dermatology and Plastic Surgery Specialists, Pacific Premier Bank, U.S. Bank, Kaiser Permanente, Karen Brown Realtor with Coldwell Banker Kivett-Teeters Associates, Pam Swift Divorce Mediation Services, Ontario Host Lions, Ford Fritts Riverside Auto Center, Open Door Escape Games, Provident Bank, Altura Credit Union, and Arrowhead Orthopedics.
At the conclusion of the luncheon, guests were invited to mark their calendars for several important Olive Crest upcoming fundraisers, including a Riverside Signature event on Sept. 8; the Olive Crest Golf Invitational on Feb. 26, 2024; and next year’s Pick-A-Purse Luncheon on May 5, 2024,
For more information on Olive Crest, call 800-550-2445, or visit www.olivecrest.org.
This piece was submitted on behalf of Olive Crest by Madeline Zuckerman.
