At the top of the stairs, each of the 300-plus guests attending Havana Nights, an Image for Success fundraiser, was greeted with a fragrant gardenia to pin on lapel, hair or handbag.  Wine and beverage sponsors dotted the pool and upper garden area. Trees canopied over the cigar lounge. A lavish buffet by Mangia Nosh was set up near the house, still giving guests plenty of room to mingle outside.  Inside, tempting jewelry displays beckoned. No matter where you looked, you were surrounded by majestic views of Marin.

House, pool and multi-level gardens could not have been a more spectacular venue for the indoor/outdoor party held at the home of Jim and Donna Hale on last Sunday night.    

Board members at San Rafael's Image for Success had been talking about a fall fundraiser for several years but no one had stepped up to the plate until Donna Hale generously offered to host, orchestrate and help finance the event. 

A 30-person event committee was created for the purpose of reaching out to new members of the community and bringing Image for Success the recognition it deserves. 

Image for Success is a volunteer-based non-profit organization that provides complimentary wardrobes to men, women and children who are transitioning to a life of self reliance.  Clients are referred to IFS by local supporting social service agencies.

Program and services director, Skipper Cummings, explained how she interfaces with agencies and clients, and sets up the one-hour appointment with the client and the two volunteers who dress them in a full two week wardrobe.

Board member, Diane Parente, a professional image consultant, and current "style ambassador" at Northgate, helped market this event and suggested the jewelers who showed their sparkling designs.

"Havana Nights was a very successful way to educate the attendees on what Image for Success is all about in a fun social environment" Parente said.  "We depend on clothing and monetary donations to keep us in business and we hope that our outreach with this party will bring in new interest in our organization."

Image for Success has 80 volunteers. On Fourth Street in San Rafael, the boutique in back serves one client at a time, while the store in front sells to the public.

The goal for IFS is to offer their clients a sense of dignity and self assurance through a renewed and refreshed personal appearance. IFS works with high end consignment stores in Marin and many generous Marinites donate clothing directly as well. 

Both Cindy Walker, president, and Diane Ettelson, executive director, were thrilled with the large turnout and new faces they saw at the party.

Guests Tracy and Peter Dempsey looked like they might be on a Caribbean holiday themselves. Wearing an off shoulder top with polka dot flounced skirt, Tracy explained that their San Rafael agency, Express Employment, which specializes in work opportunities for the over-50 set, opened only a little over a year ago and has already exceeded their expectations. 

Image for Success

1557 Fourth Street

San Rafael, CA

www.imageforsuccess.org