Carmichael Parks Foundation board directors include from back, left, Gary Hursh, Michael Koerner, Ken Hall and Duane Faitel. Middle row from left are Donna Miller, Sue Boucher, Heidi Hull, Linda Martin, Lynn Jacoby-McClellan, and Nick Bloise. Kneeling, front, from left are Rosie Buck and Donna O’Neil.

CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - On a starry night last weekend, nearly 400 guests sat down to dine.

Wine and donations flowed. The Carmichael Parks Foundation’s “Dinner in the Park” fundraiser garnered more than $60,000 for youth scholarships and park improvement.

Sheryl Stewart, left, and Deanna Regalado greet Haystack Jack among sunflowers in Sutter Community Garden.

A community staple for five years, the gala sprawled between Sutter Avenue’s Garden allotments and the Jensen Botanical Garden on Fair Oaks Boulevard. Strolling between the hidden gem reserves, guests were serenaded by jazz, chamber music and rock artists.

The event honored past Foundation President Sharon Ruffner, a pillar of community activism and fundraising until her 2024 death. At $150 per ticket, table space nearly sold out.

Event sponsors include Ken Ward, left,, Lisa, County Supervisor Rich Desmond and Carmichael Times Publisher Paul Scholl.

Dinner included chicken, salads and barbecued tri-tip from Hawks Public House, Sacramento. Nothing Bundt Cakes offered mini treats for dessert.

Fundraising followed. Skip’s Kitchen owner Ship Wahl and KFBK anchor Kitty O'Neil spurred paddle-raising for a drive that earned more than $36,000.

Jazz legend Henry Robinett, in the center with guitar, entertains in Sutter Community Garden. Sunset guests include former County Supervisor Susan Peters and KFBK anchor Kitty O’Neil. Bass player is Ben Knopf, left, and drummer is Cameron Womack.

Live auction bids came next. A weekend retreat at Serene Lakes scored $3,200. The top earner was a Japanese demonstration meal hosted in an American River home. The date came with saki parings and limousine transport for eight. After the hammer fell to $4,200, a second bid matched the sum for another dinner.

Carmichael firefighters will cook for four eager guests who pooled $800 for a night out with the boys of Station 109.

A fused glass artisan coffee table went for $1,000.

Enjoying dinner catered by Hawkes Public House are, clockwise from left, Mark Benson, Vera Vaccaro, Cleo and Ron Greenwood, Chuck Shumate, Jack and Nancy Harrison, and Wendy Benson.

“The evening was truly a celebration of generosity and kindness in our community,” said gala Chair Heidi Hull. “I’m humbled by the support of so many of our guests. Thanks to them, the Parks Foundation can implement projects to benefit the entire community.”

Since its 2009 formation, the nonprofit organization has contributed almost $400,000 toward youth scholarships and beautification in Carmichael’s 13 parks. Improvements have included the lush Jensen Garden meadow where dinner was served and a quarter-mile path that links the amenity to the happy-hour location at Sutter Avenue community garden. Combined, the two reserves are now called Sutter Jensen Community Park.

Major gala sponsors were Supervisor Rich Desmond; the Paul Pennington family; San Juan Unified School District and BP Interiors. Beer was donated by River City Brewing Company.

Community activists supporting Dinner in the Park include Martin Ross, left, Jim Christian, Rosie Buck, Nick Bloise, Mary Christian and Assemblyman Josh Hoover.

Table sponsors included Bub Ruffner; former Supervisor Susan Peters; Homes by Towne; Almond Orchard Dental Care; Buck Family Automotive; Neuman Enterprises; Aerospace Museum of California; Hensel Phelps Construction; Gilbane Building Company, Ken and Lynn Hall; Charles Schwab Daryl Powell; Ameriprise Bob Roth; SMUD; Milagro Center; Oakmont of Carmichael; School of Rock; Windy Acre Commune; D.L. O’Neil; Linda Martin; Donna Miller; Gary Hursh Attorney; Jaramillo & Borcyckowski Attorneys; Sacramento Fine Arts Center; Carmichael family Dentistry; and Sophia Tsakopoulos.

For information about the Carmichael Parks Foundation, visit www.carmichaelparksfoundation.org.