July 13, 2018 — Row after row of brightly decorated tables greeted guests at The Phund’s Taste of the South Bay Soiree as they pored through tempting silent auction items from favorite merchants, restaurants, destination hotels and more.
They couldn’t wait to bid on trips to Hawaii and Las Vegas, weekends at the Portofino Hotel & Marina and Baleen Kitchen and the Redondo Beach Hotel; dining experiences at Chez Melange, Bettolino Kitchen, The Cheesecake Factory, The Original Red Onion, Jackson’s, Tin Roof Bistro, Gaetano’s Restaurant, Kincaid’s, Houston’s and then some.
Then all those small plates below the colorful balloons beckoned. Tables laden with favorite bites from Tin Roof Bistro, Roman Aroma, Whole Foods, The Original Red Onion, Buca di Beppo, Chipotle, Peet’s Coffee, wine from the Boisset Collection and more.
There to enjoy the festivities while helping children with cancer and other serious illness, guests couldn’t help dabbing their eyes as they heard from Hope Feltenberger, a young woman who received a copy of The Jester Has Lost His Jingle 15 years earlier.
“I was 5 and a patient at Little Company of Mary Hospital when my nurse gave me The Jester Has Lost His Jingle,” the San Pedro resident said, holding up her original copy of David’s Saltzman’s Jester. She opened the cover to reveal a bookplate: “This gift of laughter donated by Troy, Trevor & Tori Tessalone.” As children in Redondo Beach, CA, they asked friends and relatives for money instead of Christmas presents so they could donate Jester books and dolls to local hospitalized children.
“While I didn’t have cancer, I had a respiratory illness that needed ongoing treatment,” Hope said.
Then, she handed the late author-artist’s mom Barbara Saltzman a $100 bill. “My family and I have always cherished this book because it brought us together when things seemed to be falling apart,” Hope recalled. “I would like to show my appreciation for everything The Jester & Pharley Phund does and donate $100 in order to provide Jester books to other children,” she said as guests rose to their feet, clapping.
Proceeds from the “Phundraiser” will provide Jester books and dolls to local hospitalized children in the South Bay of Southern California. Sponsors included City of Hope/South Bay, Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center, Big 5 Sporting Goods, Smart & Final and Malaga Bank.
2018 A Taste of the South Bay Soiree
Photos Courtesy of Sarah Saltzman
