Church hosts fundraiser to help sister church recently destroyed in Los Angeles wildfires

A San Luis Obispo church recently hosted an Academy Awards viewing party and fundraiser to help out a sister church that got destroyed in the recent Los Angeles wildfires.

On Sunday, March 2, as the stars turned out in Hollywood to walk the red carpet, folks dressed to the nines descended on the United Church of Christ in SLO for the Oscars party, organized by Sabin Gray, who loves show business and previously had the Hooray for Hollywood collectibles shop on Morro Bay’s Embarcadero. The event was supported by numerous local businesses who donated door prizes for the party.

SLO UCC held the event to raise funds for the UCC Church in Altadena, that was destroyed in the Eaton Fire along with much of that suburb of Pasadena.

Among the attendees was actor David Selby, who first gained fame playing the werewolf Quentin Collins on TV’s “Dark Shadows,” a daytime soap opera/gothic horror story that ran from 1966-71, and then on “Falcon Crest,” a prime-time drama that ran from 1981-90. Selby, 84, now lives in Los Osos.

Over 50 church members attended the party, which featured a fancy dinner prepared by Chef Bryan Gerber, plus scrumptious desserts. The UCC Church’s Choir performed the Oscar-nominated songs during the commercial breaks.

Among the silent auction celebrity items was a photo from “Law & Order: SVU” signed by series star Mariska Hargitay and a vintage werewolf model kit signed in person by Selby. There were also overnight hotel stays, dinners for two, a Hearst Castle trip, and an impressive array of gift certificates. 

Donating local businesses were: Babylonian Soap Company, Bay Cruisers, Bay Theatre, Beads By The Bay, Buttercup Bakery, Cal Coast Adventures, Carla’s Country Kitchen & Gifts, Carousel Taffy, Deep, Dorn’s Restaurant, Embarcadero Inn, Energy In Motion, Fanny Wrappers, Fitness Works, Frankie & Lola’s Restaurant, Galaxy Groovin’ Designs, Grandma’s Mercantile On Main, Grocery Outlet (SLO), Harvest Moon Boutique, Hofbrau Restaurant, Hooray For Hollywood, Laguna Grill Restaurant, La Katrina Restaurant, Lost Isle Adventures, Mike’s Barber Shop, Morro Bay Hat Company, Nautical Bean, NBC, Palm Theater, Paula Radke Art Glass, Poppy’s, Ree’s Resale Shop, Rowe Clayworks, Sammy’s Irish Pub, Seaside Treasures, Seven Sisters Gallery, Smoobage, Subsea Tours, Sun N’ Buns Bakery, The Garden Gallery, Ugly Mug Ceramics, Under The Sea Gallery and Windows On The Water Restaurant.

UCC SLO Pastor Jason Sisk-Provencio told KSBY News, “In times of disasters and difficulties, always look for the helpers. So I encourage everyone to be a helper in your neighborhood and community. Find someone to help, invite people to participate and make a difference.”

According to Gray, the event was a big hit and raised some $5,000 “to help the UCC Church in Altadena to rise from the ashes.”

Feature Image: UCC SLO Church volunteer Nancy Gates presents the fancy appetizers served at the Oscars viewing party fundraiser.