Holiday Hob Nob on the Hill, 2009

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Holiday Hob Nob on the Hill celebrated its 21st year as the major fundraising event for Saint Francis Memorial Hospital (SFMH) and the inaugural event of San Francisco’s busy holiday calendar.

More than 400 guests attended the black-tie “progressive dinner,” which wound its way through the most beautiful rooms of San Francisco’s historic Fairmont Hotel.

Hooman Khalili, Bridgette Hart, Leo Martinez and Kate Smith

The Hob Nob was conceived by “Nob Hill Fundraising Diva” Bella Farrow in 1989, following the Loma Prieta Earthquake. “Even during difficult times, San Franciscans rise to the occasion with a great party to celebrate a great cause,” comments Susan Geary, this year’s Hob Nob chair.

“Saint Francis has served this community through the 1906 earthquake, World War II, Loma Prieta, and countless day-to-day emergencies. This year, proceeds from Hob Nob will support our Hospital’s world-renowned Bothin Burn Center, the only dedicated burn center in the Bay Area, and a critical community resource.”

Terri Tiffany and Joe Tiffany

Established in 1967, the Bothin Burn Center is a 10-bed intensive care unit providing advanced treatment for seriously burned children and adults throughout the western United States. Currently located on the fifth floor of Saint Francis, plans are underway to expand the Burn Center to include four additional patient beds. This critical expansion and upgrade will increase the Burn Center’s capacity to provide burn care to an additional 90 inpatients and 900 outpatients per year.

A gift of $300,000 was presented at the Hob Nob by The Bothin Foundation to support the Burn Center’s expansion.

“Burn patients require very special care, often involving weeks if not months of hospitalization,” says Thomas Hennessy, President and CEO of Saint Francis. “Demand for our services is strong, and we want to make sure we have both the capacity and the most advanced technologies to deliver the care that burn patients and their families need.”

Nat Prieshoff and Jessica Berg

Fairmont Hotel Regional V. P. and General Manager Tom Klein served as Hob Nob Master of Ceremonies, with presenters including Saint Francis Foundation Chairman Leo Martinez, Dean of Hastings College of the Law, Dr. Clyde Ikeda, Medical Director of the Bothin Burn Unit and Ms. Geary.

The progressive gala began with cocktails in the historic Venetian Room, followed by dinner and live auction in the Gold Room, topped off with desserts and dancing to the Rich Martini Orchestra back in the Venetian Room.

Elizabeth Thieriot

Marybeth LaMotte

Daru Kawalkowski and Lisa Alexander

Kate Smith and Barbara Brown

Abby Bourgon and Melissa Zolmierski

Meredith Leach and Alex Koptyev

Photos: Drew Altizer [drewaltizer.com]