Gathering at Bergamot Station mid-May, Red Cross Santa Monica Bay saw a vibrant night of art and music while celebrating 100 years of the organization in Los Angeles.
Judy Chambers Beck, chair of the Santa Monica Bay board, was presented with the 2016 Spirit of the American Red Cross Award during the evening. Beck, who was instrumental in launching the fundraiser in 2007, is an accomplished painter and makes her home in Brentwood.
Beck has held key leadership roles at the local and national Red Cross and also is an active volunteer with Santa Monica’s WISE Center for Healthy Aging and St. John’s Health Center. Beck’s involvement in the Red Cross spans several generations of her family. Her Father was aided by Red Cross volunteers after being wounded in WWII, and her nephew received aid after being wounded as a member of the Army’s Special Forces Medical Corps in Afghanistan.
News anchor Christine Devine received the 2016 Rick Crocker Spirit of Volunteerism Award for her long-time volunteer support of the Red Cross and her volunteer work throughout the Greater Los Angeles community. The veteran news anchor has hosted the Red Tie event as its emcee for 10 consecutive years and is known throughout Los Angeles for her work as a “cheerleader for children.”
The American Red Cross award is named for the Santa Monica police officer Rick Crocker, a Red Cross volunteer and Iraqi war veteran who died in 2005.
“Santa Monica’s arts community went above and beyond to support Red Cross disaster relief,” organizers said. Attendees had the opportunity to mix and mingle to live music by Tyler Conti, Spanish guitarist Alfredo Caceres and Maya Smith, a recent The Voice Contestant.
DJ Elliot DeHoyos provided music throughout the evening and attendees watched four artists – Evol, Steven Zapata, Shane Grammer and Shen Li – produce art live around Bergamot Station.
The Rose and William Turner galleries provided space for these live artists during the event, which was aptly called “EAT.DRINK.ART.”
The event marked the 10th Annual Red Tie Affair, hosted every year by Santa Monica Bay Chapter, and is one of many celebrations taking place this year in recognition of the Los Angeles Red Cross Centennial.
Numerous silent and live auction items were available for bid during the event, as attendees munched on food provided by Bruce Kalman, Executive Chef and Co-Owner, Union Restaurant, whose accolades include a Chopped championship title from the Food Network’s hit show.
Red Cross board members and Red Tie co-chairs Jamey Edwards and Bobby Sabelhaus thanked all who attended: “Your participation tonight helps support the American Red Cross’ efforts to alleviate human suffering, not only Down the Street, like the victims of the Santa Monica Pier apartment fire in December, but also Across the Country and Around the World.”
