PRSRT STD ECRWSS U.S. POSTAGE PAID SAN DIEGO, CA PERMIT NO. 835
The
BOXHOLDER
THE RANCHO SANTA FE NEWS
.com
VOL. 12, N0. 21
MAKING WAVES IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD
Lisa Blaufuss (on the ground), and Crystal Reinick prepare for the Spooktacular Halloween Dressage Show and Howl’in Dog Costume Contest later this month at the Del Mar Showpark. Courtesy photo
OCT. 14, 2016
John Seiber, a resident of Rancho Santa Fe, will be acknowledged Nov. 16 in the category of Outstanding Fundraising Volunteer from the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Courtesy photo
Horses, dogs get into the Halloween spirit Seiber to be recognized on By Christina Macone-Greene
RANCHO SANTA FE — The Spooktacular Halloween Dressage Show and Howl’in Dog Costume Contest serves up a recipe for a great event. It brings cancer awareness to the community, raises money for special causes, and gathers everyone together for a memorable time. While the dressage show is entering its fourth year, the dog costume contest is pawing its way into its third. This much anticipated event is produced by Crackerjack Productions and is slated for Oct. 29 and Oct. 30 at the Del Mar Horsepark. Meredith Grimm, a resident of Rancho Santa Fe, is lending a helping hand with the event. On a professional level, Grimm is a nurse and patient advocate for children and adults with
cancer and rare diseases. Founder of Crackerjack Productions, Lisa Blaufuss, is a cancer survivor. And with October marking Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Grimm said that Blaufuss decided to donate a portion of the proceeds from the horse show to Breast Cancer Angels once again this year. Proceeds from the Howl’in Dog Costume Contest will be filtered to the FACE Foundation. Grimm explained that this organization provides funds for emergency veterinary pet care to pet owners with financial need. “This event is special because it is about raising awareness and the power of community, in this case, the Southern California dressage community and the Friends of Lisa
(FOL),” Grimm said. “Lisa is one very inspirational cancer survivor who has made the choice to live her life and do what she loves despite her cancer diagnosis. Lisa has taught us all a great deal about living with cancer by the behavior she models. This month she will show us how to run her signature Crackerjack Halloween horse show while receiving chemotherapy.” Grimm describes the Spooktacular Dressage Show as not only a fun event, but one that affords both participants and spectators a triple-rated dressage event which features leading California and West Coast dressage riders. “The show is considered the social event of the dressage show sea TURN TO DRESSAGE ON 15
RSF residents help with ROMP gala By Christina Macone-Greene
RANCHO SANTA FE — The Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of San Diego is readying for its annual ROMP gala. Slated for Oct. 29 at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar, this premiere event will raise funds in an effort to help families remain in close proximity of their children when hospitalized and undergoing treatment. Two members of the ROMP gala executive committee are Rancho Santa Fe residents Jamie Straza and Fernanda “Fé” Whitworth. Straza, who is also a development committee member and former board member, said her involvement with RHMC started 30 years ago when she was in high school. Throughout the years, Straza noted how RHMC has transformed. “RMHC is dear to my heart because any time you have children who
are sick and need medical care, it affects the entire family,” Straza said. “Having a place for the family to be close to their loved ones is best for everyone.” Straza shared how Fernanda Whitworth she has been involved with RHMC in a variety of ways. In addition to strategic planning and being on the board, she has joined her children, friends and fellow staff members in serving meals to the families staying at the San Diego Ronald McDonald House.
“For me, it’s about serving our com mu n it y and giving back to help grow the organization to be able to accommodate the needs of the community,” she said. Straza also wants Jamie Straza people to know that the San Diego Ronald McDonald House is not completely supported by McDonald’s. It’s estimated that the local restaurant franchisees donate about 10 percent. TURN TO ROMP ON 15
National Philanthropy Day By Christina Macone-Greene Seiber said. “This usually
RANCHO SANTA FE — The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) San Diego Chapter is recognizing seven individuals for its 44th National Philanthropy Day celebration Nov. 16. John Seiber, a resident of Rancho Santa Fe, will be acknowledged Nov. 16 in the category of Outstanding Fundraising Volunteer. According to AFP, Seiber was nominated by Mingei International Museum, Kraemer Endowment Foundation and St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center. When Seiber heard the news, he admitted that he was “blown away” and of course, humbled. “For me, this nomination means that anyone can do this if they set their mind to it; and, maybe that would give some others the courage to help in fundraising around the city and county of San Diego,” Seiber said. Seiber has been recognized for his insightful long-term planning, board cultivation, and an inspirational wisdom for relationship building. In cultivating a board, Seiber shared that he prefers members to be concentrated on the goal of the board, but to also have diverse opinions. And it’s all about finding one board candidate at a time. “One good board member might lead to another,”
doesn’t happen overnight, but you can build it over a few years.” Seiber also shared his perspective on donors in terms of relationship building for long-term philanthropy planning. “You want a donor to become a voice for the project and to make it their own; not yours,” he said. And being a good steward for donors and the project is essential. In an AFP press release, Maureen King, vice chair of the Kraemer Endowment Foundation described Seiber as a model board chairman who conveys respect with others he works with. “His leadership is measured, steady and constant. He listens to and is respectful of each board member’s opinions and suggestions, yet always manages to skillfully separate the substantive from the peripheral in order to achieve a solid, practical conclusion,” King said. In the same press release, Debra Emerson, CEO of St. Madeline Sophie’s Choice shared her feelings. “John has been giving his time, effort and commitment to us for over 18 years,” she said. Emerson added, “John has been an integral player in connecting high-value philanthropic partners together TURN TO SEIBER ON 15