On June 4, St. Germaine Children’s Charity(SGCC) board members, grant recipients and event guests gathered for a glorious evening at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCASD) to celebrate, recognize this year’s grant recipients and install the SGCC Board for the 2026-2027 year.
June Star Bright Awards Dinner Co-Chairs Barbara Giammona and Sherry Savage, and their committee worked to design and expertly orchestrate this year’s event.
A SPECIAL THANK YOU
Sponsors
Rising Star, Barbara and Joseph Giammona
Starlight, Janice and Matt Kurth
Moonlight, Gigi Cramer | Katherine Murphy | Sherry Savage
Hummingbird, Kris and Jim Benham | Christine and Kieran Moloney
Underwriters
Centerpieces by Bridget’s Blooms Lisa and Kevin Rhoads
Entertainment by San Diego Opera, Barbara and Joseph Giammona
Program Designer, Alli Caya
Photography, Emily Rose
Wine with Dinner, Janice and Steve Farnow
Audio Visual, MCASD
Coffee Service, Toast Catering
Guests were greeted by lovely smiles from our volunteer Board Members as they checked-in.
The evening was magical. Highlighted by a spectacular sunset with pelicans gracefully coasting above the waves.
Guests mingled while others visited the museum’s latest exhibit, Giants: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys.
St. Germaine’s newly elected President, Sherry Savage, started-off the event with a warm welcome.
June Star Bright Awards’ Co-Chair, Barbara Giammona, introduced Mariam Mouawad who gave an absolutely powerful performance. Mariam is an award-winning San Diego Opera singer. Guests were in for a treat!
Andrea Anderson, VP Philanthropy, announced and presented the Barbara Christensen Heart of San Diego Award Winner to Karrie Schaaf, the Executive Director of the Coachella Valley Friends of the Children and our guest speaker this evening.
Keynote Speaker: Karrie Schaaf, Executive Director - Coachella Valley Friends of the Children
Karrie Schaf is the Executive Director for the Coachella Valley Friends of the Children. Karrie has devoted her career to vulnerable children and youth who are facing great obsticles, by providing them with long-term mentorship.
Grant Co-Chairs Cathy Boychuk and Katie Olliver joined VP of Philanthropy Andrea Anderson, and awarded $160,000 in grants to representatives of the eight local agencies that support our organization’s mission to stop child abuse. The agencies honored with grants are listed on the Grant Recipients 2026 page.
This year the St. Germaine Board of Directors created a new award recognition, the Golden Hummingbird Award.
It was created tp honored a St. Germaine member who exemplifies leadership. extraordinary service, dedication and compassionate support of St. Germaine Children’s Charity’s mission. This year’s recipient is Kathryn Murphy.
Without the extraordinary support from a kind and loving husband doing what needed to get done behind-the-scenes, Janice Farnow would not have been able to serve as St. Germaine’s President for the past three years.
With sincere gratitude from all Board Members, a surprise “First Place Husband” award was also presented to Steve Farnow.
A very special thank you to our amazing past Silver Tea host Sally Lawrence, who joined us in the Grant Awards celebration. Without her generosity in allowing 300-400 guests into her beautiful home we would not have achieved our fundraising goals allowing us to provide financial support to local child abuse prevention agencies in San Diego. Playing the piano is incoming president, Sherry Savage’s husband David Savage!
Outgoing President Janice Farnow introduced the 2026-2027 Board of Directors to St. Germaine’s members in attendance. The new Board of Directors was installed without objections.
Award dinner guests enjoyed an opportunity drawing for some very nice prizes.
Congratulations to all the prize winners.
Congratulations to all of our 2026 Grant Recipients!
These agencies provide resources to abused, neglected and exploited children throughout the San Diego County. St. Germaine Children’s Charity recognizes the difficulties of their work and is proud to provide financial support to these San Diego County agencies that work to achieve our organization’s mission. To learn more about what each of these agencies do, click HERE.
Thank you to all St. Germaine Children’s Charity volunteers who helped made today special.
