Yacht Club Holds Pre-Party to Regatta Benefiting VNHC
Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care is beneficiary, teachers are honorees
On August 21, about 120 guests gathered at the Santa Barbara Yacht Club (SBYC) for a cocktail reception to thank supporters of the upcoming Charity Regatta benefiting Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care (VNHC). Guests included SBYC members who are loaning their boats for the day, event sponsors, celebrity skippers, and VNHC staff. Last year, the regatta netted about $130,000.
Founded in 1908, VNHC provides comprehensive home health and personal care services. It offers hospice services both in home and at Serenity House, serving about 12,000 people annually. Thanks to VNHC’s foundation and fundraising efforts such as the Charity Regatta, VNHC never has to turn away a patient for an inability to pay. Last year, VNHC provided more than $2.4 million in subsidized care and community service.
In an interview, Commodore John Koontz shared how 14 years ago, SBYC members started the annual fundraiser as a way of bringing the community closer and giving back to the community. They chose VNHC as the beneficiary the first year and have kept it every year because of the vast need in the community for VNHC’s services. Koontz emphasized how its services benefit not just the patient, but the entire family and other caregivers. Many club members have benefited, making them passionate supporters.
