On Sunday, October 16, about 80 major donors of Storyteller Children’s Center gathered at the lovely Montecito home of Michael and Jessica Schaeman for a casual backyard BBQ to celebrate raising more than $200,000 without holding its annual gala.
This year, instead of holding its annual gala and asking donors to sponsor a table, Storyteller asked its donors to "sponsor a child." By forgoing the expense of the gala, every penny raised directly benefited the children and families served by Storyteller. Donors heeded the call, many stepping up with a $15,000 donation, the average yearly cost of supporting one child and family.
Storyteller offers early childhood education to homeless and at-risk children ages 18 months through five years and comprehensive support services for the children and their families. Founded in 1988, it now has two centers that together serve about 100 children per year.