The evening of August 3rd, celebrants attended and enjoyed the 78th Annual Jewel Ball with the theme of "Meet Me in Marrakesh," inclusive of a festive reception party atmosphere followed by live entertainment and a sit down dinner and dancing under the stars.
Guests journeyed into the enchanting allure of Marrakesh, where the setting sun painted the sky in warm hues, casting a golden glow over the intricate mosaic walls of of the evening's elegant Riad. Lost in the opulent surroundings, adorned with vibrant textiles and flickering light from golden lanterns, attendees enjoyed an unforgettable night, filled with the sounds of laughter and joy, as they danced the night away under the Moroccan stars.
Throughout the year leading up to the Ball, Las Patronas active members spend time at “The Warehouse,” busily drilling, sawing, lifting, nailing, sanding, drawing, stenciling, painting, marbling, sponging, lettering, and more – all to benefit our carefully chosen and deserving San Diego County charities. Jewel Ball work week we hit the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club running and the only racket on the tennis courts comes from the sound of power tools. Husbands, children, and some of our beneficiaries come to help us unload trucks from our warehouse and to put up the scenery that transforms the Beach Club into a fantasyland each year.
Las Patronas members serve a term of six to seven years and hold two to three organizational positions each year, ensuring our long-standing success as an organization. In addition, all members work with the Grants Committee, bi-annually, making on-site visits to each eligible nonprofit organization that applies for a grant. As a group, we thoroughly assess and vet each organization’s request, present our findings to our peers, select our major and minor grant recipients, and distribute available funding. The funds granted to these organizations are generated through our year-long fundraising efforts and the presentation of our annual Jewel Ball, one of San Diego’s most enduring and coveted social, cultural, and philanthropic traditions. All funds raised by Las Patronas stay in San Diego County and are distributed to many small grass-root nonprofits as well as larger, more visible organizations that provide valuable community services in the areas of health, education, social services, and cultural arts.
