On Saturday, September 13th, we celebrated our 21st anniversary with our Evening at Hanaeleh event. The event started with a shuttle provided by Valet Parking Pros bringing our guests to the ranch, dropping them off in true red carpet style, while one of our board members greeted them.
When they walked up the road to the ranch, they were met by our horses who were very happy to see newcomers! Each stall was graced with a poster with the horse’s individual story, and the guests were invited to walk around and enjoy a self-guided tour of the ranch with a glass of wine or beer (or non-alcoholic beverage) provided by our wonderful bartender, Phil Daigle who supports us at all of our events!
We were thrilled to welcome a special guest – Officer Robert Yanez, Lou Dillon’s LAPD officer friend (and rescuer!) – along with his wonderful wife and their adorable dog, Carl. Officer Yanez often stops by to check on Lou Dillon and make sure he’s doing well, and this time Lou Dillon proudly showed off his talent of frisking people for carrots. Lou Dillon couldn’t have been happier to see his dear friend again!
During the event, we enjoyed live music from the talented James Ridgers (Instagram: @jamesridgersmusic). He was fantastic, so be sure to check out his website and Instagram!
Food was provided by Wise Guys Pizzeria (@wiseguyspizzeriaorange) and dessert was graciously donated by Rockwell’s Bakery (@rockwellsvillapark). Guests were seated outside under the stars with special lights twinkling all around the ranch.
Guests were also able to bid on large selection of silent auction items, donated by so many of our very generous volunteers and supporters! Thank you to the following silent auction donors:
- Set & Stones- Jewellea Lopez
- Petrine Day Mitchum
- Roberto Yanez
- Ahualoa – Brittainy
- Linda Wilson
- Don and Peggy Arbenz
- Mike and Joanne Abel
- Hana’s Restaurant and Bar
- Anthropologie Newport Beach/Fashion Island
- Michelle Green
- Eric King
- Marianne and Russ Susong
- Leslie Raasch
- Bellante Family Winery
- Tess Anderstrom
- Marlene and Shawn Garland from Garland Restoration
- Jeff and Lori Sommer
- Sharon Dobbs
Thank you also to Art Serna who took all the photographs!
We are so very thankful to everyone who helped to make this incredible evening a reality, including our Event Coordinator Ayla A., and her amazing team, including April W. and Michelle R. They spent hours putting together the table settings, decorations, photo areas, and the silent auction booths. Several of our volunteers came to work the entire event as well! We are very lucky to have so many people who are so dedicated to helping our horses!
This is our one big in-person fundraiser each fall, and the money we raised from it went directly toward covering our growing hay and veterinary costs.
Many thanks again to everyone who helped make this magical night a reality!
-
- Elizabeth thanking everyone for coming.
-
- Our Giving Tree display
-
- Giving Tree tags
-
- Table decor
-
- Lou Dillon and his favorite partner, LAPD Officer Yanez
-
- Lou Dillon’s LAPD Badge making him an honorary police horse!
-
- Lou Dillon, Officer Yanez, his wife and Carl
-
- “Thanks for the cookies, partner!”
-
- “Your sleeve tastes like cookies too!”
-
- “It’s nice to be the center of attention.”
-
- Mr Darcy meets some of the guests.
-
- Darcy is a sweet boy who loves people.
-
- Darcy in the arena.
-
- “I enjoyed meeting all of the nice people!” – Frederick
-
- April, Ayla and Michelle
-
- Dinnertime!
-
- Elizabeth and Ayla
-
- James Ridgers, our awesome musical guest.
-
- Freeda and Frederick with Jocelyn.
-
- Some of our awesome volunteers manning the silent auction and merch tables!.
-
- Molly, Ian and Russell
-
- Molly, Michelle and Ayla