#SKY6Year Community Celebration & Charity Fundraiser
#SKY6Year Cancelled
In light of the recent news surrounding the coronavirus, we spoke with the President of The Country Friends on March 13 and together made the difficult decision to cancel our March 25 fundraiser for The Country Friends.
We are disappointed, but are sensitive to the fact that many of our guests likely want to avoid any unnecessary gatherings right now. You can still support The Country Friends by learning more about them and making a donation directly.
About our Chosen Charity: The Country Friends
The Country Friends is a local nonprofit that helps people in need in our community, with a special focus on women, children, the elderly, and people with disabilities. “We first heard about the good work of The Country Friends in 2015 at their Art of Fashion fundraiser,” explains Amber. “I was immediately impressed by the powerful impact they've had on our community for more than sixty years. Not only has SKY been a sponsor every year since, but I’ve also since joined the event committee. I’m honored to be serving as the 2020 Event Chair. #SKY6Year is a fun way for us to continue our support for this worthwhile cause.”
Supporting People in Need Since 1954
The Country Friends was founded in 1954 by a group of charitable women on a mission to support human care agencies in San Diego County, with a special focus on women, children, the elderly, and people with disabilities. Women who joined the group paid an annual membership fee, held regular membership meetings, and coordinated several fundraising efforts throughout the year. Two of those fundraising efforts, launched by The Country Friends in its first year, are still going strong today: the Consignment Shop and The Art of Fashion.
The Consignment Shop
In its first year, The Country Friends was gifted a small shop in Rancho Santa Fe, which they renamed the the Trader’s Shop and is now simply the Consignment Shop. Staffed completely by volunteers, the shop continues to be the primary source of funding for The Country Friends, re-selling antiques, art, crystal and furniture. Today, the consignment shop has expanded its footprint on the corner of El Tordo and Avenida de Acacias.
The Art of Fashion
Also started in 1954 was what has become the largest outdoor fashion show in the country, The Art of Fashion. Held annually at the Inn at Rancho Santa Fe, what started as a poolside amateur fashion show with tea and homemade sandwiches has evolved into one of the premiere style events in Southern California, featuring the Fall/Winter collections of South Coast Plaza fashion designers. We are proud to be an Art of Fashion sponsor and to have our VP Amber serve as the 2020 Event Chair!
The story behind The Country Friends is a powerful example of the big impact a small group of dedicated volunteers can make. What once started as less than 200 members has swelled to more than 2,000 today. Over the past 65 years, The Country Friends is responsible for providing more than 14 million dollars to human care agencies throughout San Diego County!
You may also like to:
Read about our inaugural celebration, our Grand Opening
Learn about other ways we give back