Frequently Asked Questions

Tea & Tonic guests will have a discounted valet ($40) or self-parking ($20) rate per car. This year's event will have double the usual parking staff coverage and includes access to ample self-parking near the venue.

*Note: If you were charged more than the above pre-approved, discounted amounts for our event ($40 for valet, $20 for self-parking), please contact CCS' Chief Philanthropy Officer, Suzie Colby, at: scolby@ccssd.org

UBER Rideshare: We highly recommend using Uber, Tea & Tonic 2025's official rideshare partner, to get to and from the event. To add the Voucher to your Uber account, use your mobile phone to scan the below QR code:

➡️ Voucher is good for 50% off 2 rides (within San Diego County) to and from the Hotel Del Coronado on Thursday, June 5th.  Does not apply to advance bookings.

Valet: Main Entrance drop off

Self Parking: You may access the North parking garage to self-park by turning West onto Rh Dana Pl. From there, you can walk through the Garden & Main Lobby, down to the Southpointe Ballroom. Please see the directional map below for more details:

Other non-valet drop off (Uber, Lyft, taxi, or limo): please instruct the driver to drop you off at the Shore House (about 50 yards downhill from main valet drop off) for quicker exit.

Carpooling is recommended. Maps and more details will be in final email confirmations to guests and updated here.

Suggested attire is smart casual, business, or semi-formal. Pre-reception is on the lawn and indoors. The program is indoors (ballroom space). 

Our event typically sells out, and we are expecting over 500 guests.

You will check in by providing your name. If you did not pre-authorize your credit card, you will be asked to swipe your credit card at check-in. This is not required, but highly encouraged. You will also be asked to provide your email address and phone number to participate in the mobile silent auction and to receive donation receipts.

Please see the menu below for details:

First Course

Artisan Greens, Heirloom Carrots, Cherry Tomatoes, Purple Radish, Cucumber, Fine Herbs, Champagne Citrus Vinaigrette (GF, VE/VG)

Second Course

Roasted Chicken Breast- Carrot Coulis, Blue Corn Polenta Cake, Long Green Bean Bundle, Patty Pan Squash, White Wine Sauce (GF)

-Or Pre-Ordered VE/VG Option-

Seared Cauliflower Steak- Golden Raisins, Citrus Gremolata, Piquillo Pepper Coulis, Crispy Garlic, Parsley, Marcona Almonds (GF)

Third Course

Mimosa Fresh Fruit Tart with GF Crust (GF)

Tray-Passed Appetizers

Cucumber on GF Toast with Vegan Cream Cheese (GF, VE)

Egg Salad in Seaweed Cone set in cylinder holder

Smoked Salmon on Tomato Bread

Mini Vanilla Bean Scones with Blueberry Jam and Lemon Curd

You will be asked about dietary restrictions when purchasing a ticket/table/sponsorship. If you missed this question and need to provide info about a dietary restriction for yourself or a guest, please email Alina Cota at acota@ccssd.org.

When purchasing a ticket, feel free to add a comment noting your desired seating preference in the “Special Accommodations” notes field, or if you’ve already purchased tickets, email Alina Cota at acota@ccssd.org. CCS Staff will make their best attempt to accommodate all seating requests per seating chart capacity and availability.

If you purchased a table or sponsorship, you should receive a confirmation email from CCS staff with details and deadlines for guest registration. If you did not receive this email or have questions, please email acota@ccssd.org.

The credit card pre-authorization is highly encouraged and offered as a convenience. This is now a common practice for major fundraising events and reduces time waiting in line at check-in or check-out. Tea & Tonic sells out and averages 500 guests, so the pre-swiping will allow you to avoid longer check-in times. Additionally, we use the Greater Giving fundraising platform for our mobile auction, which requires you to create an account to participate by bidding or making a donation. Registering for your account ahead of the event will not only save you time, but it will also give you a sneak peak at the auction items a day or two before the event!

Only you can make charges to your card. CCS staff and the mobile giving platform cannot see the full credit card information. The guest controls any charges. Your card is only charged if you win an auction item, purchase raffle tickets, purchase a wine pull ticket, or donate.

P.S. – Planning to donate a larger amount during the live auction or “Raise the Paddle” for a 100% match and prefer to do that through a checking account or DAF/foundation? CCS will not charge any amounts over $5,000 until the Monday after the event without confirming with you first, and you can also contact staff at development@ccssd.org after the event or in-person during the event check-out.

CCS automatically contacts any guests who “Raise the Paddle” to donate $5,000 or more to confirm a charge to the card or a desire to donate by check instead. Guests can also notify any check-out staff if they prefer to pay for a donation by check. We intentionally delay processing credit card charges by 2 business days to allow guests to contact us regarding this preference for larger gifts.

The Walter J. & Betty C. Zable Foundation will match “Raise the Paddle” appeal donations at our Tea & Tonic up to $100,000! Your donation of $500 becomes $1,000 or $50 becomes $100. Please raise your paddle to help us claim every dollar to DOUBLE your gift’s impact! You can charge your pledge to your registered credit card OR after the event by check or through a donor advised fund. CCS will delay "Raise the Paddle" charges to any credit cards on file for 2 business days to allow for us to confirm these options.

Pledges are matched through June 30, 2025. Please notify us if you think the check may arrive after June 30 so that we can still record this for the match: development@ccssd.org or scolby@ccssd.org or 858-693-2378.

Donor Advised Fund and Personal Check Instructions

Make Payable to: Center for Community Solutions

Mail to:

Center for Community Solutions

Attn: Suzie Colby

4508 Mission Bay Drive

San Diego, CA 92109

CCS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Tax ID 95-6379598

Contact Suzie Colby with any questions at scolby@ccssd.org or 858-693-2378.

P.S. The Walter J. & Betty C. Zable Foundation has agreed to match donations from people who want to support CCS even if they were not personally present, so your donation may be matched even if you're not able to join us. Feel free to share this opportunity with friends:

Donate for the Match

Post-Event FAQs and Staff Contact Info- Thank you again for your support!

1. Silent Auction winners: If you win an item, you'll receive a notification on your mobile device.
2. Live Auction winners: Certificates with contact information will be provided at check-out in case you have questions.
3. Paying by check or through a DAF instead of a credit card on file: This is a common request for larger "Raise the Paddle" pledges, and CCS intentionally delays charging credit cards by 2-3 business days to ensure we have recorded all requests—NOT to charge registered credit cards for larger contributions. Drop off a "DAF" note card at check-out with your bidder number, or send us an email after the event at development@ccssd.org or call Suzie Colby at 858.693.2378. You can charge other purchases to your credit card (raffle tickets, auction items) and still pay your "Raise the Paddle" by DAF or check.

Click here for a video tutorial.

How to Register to Bid & Pre-Save Your Credit Card on File:

1. Visit: https://bit.ly/2025Tea-RegisterToBid

2. Create an account or log-in to an existing account. If you don’t have an account already, click the green “Create Account” button.

3. On the next screen, enter your email address in both fields and click the reCAPTCHA box confirming you are not a robot before clicking “Confirm”.

4. The next screen will ask you to verify your email to continue registering.

5. Check your inbox for the email address that was entered on the confirm email page. The email will be from “Greater Giving Login.”

• Note: If you don’t receive an email, check your spam or promotions tab. You can also click the “Resend Email” button on the Verify Email page, if needed

6. Within the email you received, click the link provided to verify your account. The link will connect you to filling out your bidder account information. Your email address will be your Username.

7. Create a password for your account. The password must be at least 7 characters in length and contain at least 2 non-alphabetic characters and 2 non-numeric characters.

8. Enter your name, address, and mobile phone.

9. Enter your credit card information. You will only be charged if you make a donation or are the winning bidder on an auction package. Greater Giving is a PCI-Level 1 Compliant credit card processing company. Your card information is securely stored and then removed from our database after the event.

10. Confirm all information is correct and click the green “Create” button at the bottom of the page.

Your account is now created! Once the Auction opens the week of the event, you can login and click the green gavel to start bidding or make a donation!