Casa Romantica raises funds for arts education from annual fundraiser.

Casa Romantica, a premiere Southern California cultural center and gardens, is delighted to announce that its 2018 Mary Colby Tea fundraiser on May 5, 2018 garnered a net of $5,000 toward its arts education programs for children.

Photo Credit: Casa Romantica

Event Details

Funds generated from Mary Colby Tea enable Casa Romantica to empower low-resource children to play classical music and create contemporary dance, as well as teach over 2,000 students about local history and share the wonders of performing arts with the Southern Californian community.
Executive Director Berenika Schmitz highlighted Honorary Chairperson June Yoder at the start of tea service. Yoder gifted Casa Romantica with $7,500 to cover the operating costs of a free family Sunday each month. A total of twelve D. Yoder Family Sundays (named for her late son, David Yoder) occurred over the course of 2017 with a total of 3,063 visitors: an average of 250 each time.
Casa Romantica held its runway fashion show featuring pre-fall pieces from St. John Knits, an Irvine-based fashion design brand. The fashion show included models circling within the historic Main Salon to music played by DJ Nomis.
The silent auction occurred throughout the duration of the tea service with bidding amongst excited guests who desired luxury items donated by local businesses and organizations.

“It is an honor to thank June Yoder for her philanthropy at this year’s Mary Colby Tea,” stated Executive Director Berenika Palys. “We are also grateful for the support of St. John, so that we at Casa Romantica are able to provide arts education to individuals of all ages.”