Bonnie Carroll
By Bonnie Carroll
The Hospice of Santa Barbara (HSB) Shining Light Society Spring Reception & Open House at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort on May 12 was a joyful gathering of long-time and current HSB staff, volunteers and supporters who gathered to honor 2022 award recipients Lois Capps, Joyce Dudley, and Leslie Von Wiesenberger.
District Attorney Joyce Dudley and Superintendent of Schools Susan Salcedo drew names for gifted prizes, which included a membership to the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, wine, restaurant gifts, and more. Dudley started by announcing with a smile “I am not running for District Attorney” and then shared her thanks to HSB for saving her life and keeping her sane with the counseling and ongoing love she and her sons received while her husband was dying.
David Selberg welcomed and thanked everyone for coming and especially the long-time supporters like Tom and Eunice Fly, Charles Zimmer, Gerd and Peter Jordano who were all in attendance.
“After two-and one-half years of pandemic, it is heavenly to have you all here to thank for the work being done by HSB offering help in the most difficult times in life offering bereavement services and more to children, teens, seniors, high school students through the efforts of social worker’s, care managers, trained volunteers who help whole families. Groups such as Care of Carpinteria, Neighborhood Clinics offering help to marginalized communities during crisis response including SBPD, Sheriff’s, SBFD and more who allowed our counselors to assist working with the first responders. Michael Cruise, Trauma Counselor and team at Earl Warren Station, Adrienne’s staff of workers from Me Vide Me Vos – My Life My Voice, and many more who helped so much by reaching thousands of people. Kudos also to those assisting with the successful and inspirational ongoing speakers’ series made available to friends and supporters of HSB during the pandemic,” said David Selberg.
David Selberg, Lois Capps, Mayor Randy Rowse, Leslie Von Wiesenberger, Joyce Dudley (Photo: Bonnie Carroll)
The featured speaker was Luis Quintanar who shared his sense of loss and failure when his twenty-two-year-old son was killed on the highway in 2015. He told of his state of hopelessness and the unexpected help he received from HSB and expressed his unending gratitude to the staff for guiding him through his hopelessness and grief.
Dana Vander Mey introduced honorees Lois Capps, Joyce Dudley, and Leslie Von Wiesenberger as David Selberg presented flower bouquets and photos were taken. Event guests lingered on the Plaza del Sol to sip cocktails, savor delicious food and enjoy being with one another after such a long hiatus.
Since 1974 Hospice of Santa Barbara, Inc. has been providing compassionate care and support to those impacted with serious illness and the bereaved in our community. We are the second oldest hospice program in the United States, and we continue to build today on our distinguished history. Compassionate Care, Freely Given. Hospice of Santa Barbara offers free counseling, support groups, resources and community education meeting the emotional, social and spiritual needs of people facing or grieving the death of a loved one. Hospice of Santa Barbara | 2050 Alameda Padre Serra, Suite 100, Santa Barbara, CA, 93103, United States. For information please visit: www.hospiceofsb.org.
