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Center for Community Solutions Raises Nearly $135,000 in Contributions at ninth ‘Tea on the Town’ Benefit

The ninth annual “Tea on the Town” benefit set a new milestone for widespread community support by raising nearly $135,000 in contributions.

Co-sponsored by Nordstrom and HD Supply Facilities Maintenance, the event was held at the Marriott San Diego Mission Valley . More than 500 people attended the afternoon tea, including Councilmember Toni Atkins, Rana Sampson, Joan Waitt, Deborah Santana, Carlee Harmonson, Ann Hunter-Welborn, Cecil Steppe, Nancy Kidder and Katie Sullivan.

Event sponsors included Cox Communications, Croce’s, Cubic Corporation, Engel Therapy Center , The Frame Maker, Ivy Hotel , Law Offices of David W. Brody, Mintz Levin Cohn Ferris Glovsky and Popeo PC, National University, ProFlowers, QDRO Pros, San Diego County Credit Union, Tabor Communications, Union Bank of California , Verizon Wireless and Viejas. Carol LeBeau, KGTV/10News anchor, served as the mistress of ceremonies.

The highlight of the event was a heartfelt and deeply personal keynote by Robin Givens, actress, author and victim-rights advocate. Givens captivated the audience with her moving stories of survival and inspiration. Additionally, several community heroes were recognized for their tireless and inspiring dedication to supporting CCS. Among this year’s recipients were Helene Shaughnessy, who was honored as Program Volunteer of the Year for her work as an unrelenting advocate for victims of sexual assault and domestic violence.

KGTV/10News and Handyman on Demand were recognized as Community Partners of the Year for choosing CCS’s North County Shelter for its “Hometown Makeover,” the local ABC affiliate’s version of the network’s popular “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” television show. 10News assembled a roster of local community partners to assist in a complete renovation of the shelter’s kitchen, staff offices and residential duplex. Handyman on Demand coordinated day-to-day details of the major renovation project.

Mintz Levin, an international law firm with offices in San Diego, and the San Diego chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), Gillespie Moody Patterson, Big Trees Nursery and The Brickman Group shared recognition as Corporate Partners of the Year for their unwavering commitment to beautifying the grounds of the North County shelter, which included providing and installing new trees, potted plants, patios and outdoor furniture.

Ivone Falk, who survived a brutal sexual assault in 2001, was honored as CCS’s 2008 Courage Award recipient. She was feted for her tireless work as a compassionate voice for other survivors, providing advocacy and countless training sessions on sexual assault to the center’s volunteers, staff and board members as well as countless community groups. Falk also participated in a recent video project undertaken by the Department of Justice Office Against Violence to educate medical professionals on the special sensitivities and needs of sexual assault survivors.

“We are grateful for the Tea’s amazing turnout and the overwhelming generosity shown by our many volunteers, sponsors and community supporters,” said Verna Griffin-Tabor, executive director of Center for Community Solutions. “Most important, we are thrilled to have the opportunity to publicly acknowledge and thank all the many companies and individuals who share our passion and dedication for healing and preventing sexual assault and domestic violence.”

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