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Center for Community Solutions Sets Milestones for Attendance and Contributions at Eighth Annual ‘Tea by the Sea’ Benefit

The inspirational keynote address from acclaimed activist Gloria Steinem highlighted the sold-out Center for Community Solutions’ Eighth Annual ‘Tea by the Sea’ benefit. The Tea recognizes volunteers and community partners for their support in addition to promoting awareness for CCS’s sexual assault and relationship violence prevention and intervention services. As in past years, the Tea was held in anticipation and honor of April as national Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

Serenaded by classical piano during the champagne reception prior to the Tea, nearly 600 guests mingled together and perused the high end raffle packages. Attendance at the event was almost double from the previous year. Lee Ann Kim, Channel 10 News anchor and friend of CCS, emceed the Tea program which included the thought-provoking keynote speech from Gloria Steinem and a celebration of the year’s “Community Hero” honorees.

“We are thrilled with this year’s record turnout as well as the outstanding, ongoing generosity of our many volunteers, community partners, and sponsors,” said Verna Griffin-Tabor , executive director of Center for Community Solutions.

Honorees recognized at this year’s Tea included: Community Volunteers of the Year -Chrissy Cmorik and Dustin Slack, Program Volunteer of the Year - Sami Longo-Disse, Community Partner of the Year - The Junior Seau Foundation, Corporate Partner of the Year – Verizon Wireless, and 2007 Courage Award winner and survivor - Jeanne Johnson.

The Tea was co-sponsored by Nordstrom and Home Depot Supply, Inc. Contributing event sponsors included The California Endowment, Cox Communications, Cubic Corporation, Viejas Enterprises and Verizon Wireless. Event sponsors included Colleen Moore, Valley Vista Mortgage, and Dave Moore, RE/MAX; Laura Miller, attorney at law; National University; ProFlowers, QDRO Pros, Inc.; San Diego County Credit Union; Tabor Communications; Union Bank of California; David A. Jacobs and The Patricia & Christopher Weil Family Foundation.

Honoring CCS with her role as keynote speaker at the Tea, Gloria Steinem captivated the audience with a compelling address that focused on peace, respect, liberation and empowerment for all people. After the Tea, Steinem hosted a book signing where she autographed copies of two of her bestselling books, Revolution from Within: A Book of Self-Esteem and Moving Beyond Words. Sponsors, honorees and others then joined Steinem at a VIP reception held on the Water Works marina patio of the Sheraton. The VIP reception was hosted by Kelly Capital and the Law Offices of David W. Brody.

All proceeds from this event help support the Center’s diverse domestic violence and sexual assault prevention and intervention programs and services.

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