On January 15, 2020, the Foundation of the Rotary Club of San Francisco hosted its first-ever “Fund the Future” benefit for the Action Leadership Program for Students (ALPS). High above San Francisco hills in the Salesforce Tower Ohana Room, more than 130 guests enjoyed breath-taking views from the City’s tallest building, nibbled on delicious appetizers, and participated in a fabulous live and silent auction.
Popular auction items included a character sketch by a Pixar Studios animator PLUS two one-day tickets to any Disney Theme Park worldwide; a day at the Spa at the St. Regis Hotel in San Francisco; a custom family portrait PLUS a luxury resort stay in Newport Beach; and lunch with the Mayor’s Chief of Staff, Sean Elsbernd. A weeklong stay at the Royal Kahili Resort in Kona was so popular that a second week was also auctioned. Special thanks to past president Harold Hoogasian of our Club for donating this popular item! The staff of teens from the ALPS and RYLA programs helped with everything from coat check, food and auction assistance as well as capturing photos for the event. And they had fun!
Guests learned about the newly created ALPS program, which provides youth leadership training in Bay Area high schools. Guest speaker Ismail Azam (a Rotary Youth Leadership Awards alumnus) spoke of his personal journey and described how the leadership skills he learned through Rotary have helped shape who he is today. The leadership skills he developed allowed him to grow both personally and professionally and gave him the confidence to start his own technology company.
Fund the Future raised $34,000 for ALPS. Thanks to all who attended and donated to this wonderful program. A special thanks to event co-chairs John Mathers and Janine Padilla and the entire Fund the Future Committee. What an evening of fun and funding! ALPS benefited. Guests had a great time in a fabulous environment. Let’s do it again next year!