Bonjour Bayou! A Tour de France

The 16th Annual Bonjour Bayou – A Tour de France fundraiser honoring Denny Wayman with the Leni Fe Bland Award for the important role he has played in the community as pastor of the Free Methodist Church of Santa Barbara, who has provided special care to the Rescue Mission clients and families for the past 40 years, was one delightful afternoon under the historic tree-lined arbor of the Dos Pueblos Estate, owned by Henry & Dundie Schulte.

 

 

Catherine Remak was a great emcee for this year’s Bayou event, and Rolf Geyling welcomed guests, including former Mayor Hal Conklin who gave a heartwarming introduction to award recipient Denny Wayman. Geyling shared “while only 21% of those completing treatment programs nationally maintain their sobriety beyond five years. We are proud that 53% of our graduates remain in recovery over this same period.” Wayman spoke of the 51,000 nights of safe sleep the SBRM has provided those who come to the mission, and the warm community of Christian travelers he has been grateful to experience during his 41 years working with the SBRM homeless guests and members of their 12-month residential recovery program. Last year the Bayou raised over $390,000 to assist people seeking shelter and recovery from alcohol addiction.

 

 

 

Dianne Davis and team again provided luncheon decorations that were picture perfect, and the magnifique silent auction, coordinated by Rose Hodge & Terry Foil, billed as “the best in Santa Barbara” pleased guests with a milieu of exciting items to bid on. Irresistible French cheese and fresh mushroom crepes were being made and enjoyed by everyone during the auction and pre-luncheon activities. The 65 members of the Women’s Auxiliary of the SBRM lead by Julie Willig president and co-chairs Susan Hughes and Suzi Ryan organized a very memorable event, complete with French music by the Idiomatiques.

 

 

 

Lorraine Lim Catering, who has prepared and presented outstanding family-style Bayou luncheons for many years, presented a French luncheon to rival the best chef’s in Paris, preceded with scrumptious appetizers. The luncheon menu included an entree of beef bourguignon with mushrooms & pearl onions in red sauce, puree de garlic potatoes, haricot verts with slivered almonds served with salted brioche rolls and a sweet ending of classic French Apple Tarte Tartin with fresh whipped cream paired with iced tea or Vogelzang wines donated by Beth and Jim Vogelzang.

 

Established in 1965 Santa Barbara Rescue Mission, a 501(c)(3) organization, brings physical, emotional, educational and spiritual resources to individuals and families in need. It is the only organization between Oxnard and Santa Maria that provides hot meals and overnight accommodations to homeless guests 365 days of the year. The Rescue Mission offers men’s and women’s 12-month residential recovery, treatment, family support, relapse prevention, men’s sober living, academic instruction, and job skills training. Its residential drug and alcohol program has won regional and national recognition for its extraordinary effectiveness. The Mission receives no government funding. For information visit www.sbrm.org.