Seventeenth Annual Hand to Hand Luncheon
December 10, 2008

Project Open Hand's Seventeenth Annual Hand to Hand Luncheon, held at the San Francisco Marriott on December 10, 2008, hosted over 800 guests and raised over $340,000 for Project Open Hand's meal and nutrition services. Mahla Shaghafi, Union Bank of California, Regional Director and Senior Vice President was this year’s Event Chair. Kate Kelly of KPIX Channel 5 returned as the Master of Ceremonies and delighted the crowd. This year’s event honored the St. Anthony Foundation, the Avon Foundation, Energy 92.7 FM, Gap Inc. and Nick and Sue Hellmann.

Hand to Hand began with a cocktail reception featuring SKYY Vodka Citrus Collins Signature Cocktail and the Silent Auction, which included hotel stays, fine dining, wine and spa certificates and was a huge success. As always, Hand to Hand featured food prepared by twelve of the finest chefs in the Bay Area, including Mark Dommen of One Market Restaurant, Annie Somerville of Greens Restaurant, Peter McNee of Poggio Trattoria, Erica Holland-Toll of The Lark Creek Inn, Janine Falvo of Carneros Bistro and Wine Bar, Michael Baroman-Coggins of Project Open Hand, Charles Phan of The Slanted Door, Shana Everhart of Soluna Café and Lounge, Mauro Pando of Grand Cafe Brasserie and Bar, James Irby of Kuleto’s, Keith Jeanminette of the San Francisco Marriott and Debbie Yee-Henen of Julia’s Kitchen at COPIA.  Dinner was accompanied with fine wines from Clos Du Val and W. & J. Graham’s Port. The event ended with an exciting live auction with four fabulous getaway and culinary packages.  San Francisco Magazine, the San Francisco Business Times, and Energy 92.7 FM were the media sponsors.   Monica DuClaud once again designed the invitation and program booklet and Scott Saraceno created the visual graphics at the event.

Project Open Hand would like to thank all the chefs, sponsors, and volunteers who helped make Hand to Hand a success.

Here are some images from the event. Click on any image for a larger version.

2008 Hand to Hand Master of Ceremonies Kate Kelly, CBS 5 TV.	POH Executive Director Tom Nolan welcomes over 800 Hand to Hand Attendees.
Tom Nolan greets POH Founder Ruth Brinker.	2008 Hand to Hand Live Auction Emcee Tom Durein, Jared Scherer POH Director of Special Events and Hand to Hand attendee Kevin Lemons take a quick picture break.