Party Pics: International Network of Hearts’ 15th Anniversary Gala 

Seniors today face challenges that were unimaginable to previous generations, and some turn to nonprofit organizations to bridge the gap. Serving Seniors helps low-income older adults with housing assistance, social services, and more. The nonprofit provides 1.5 million meals and coordinated services to 13,265 older adults each year, the majority living on less than $1,125 per month. 

Dedicated volunteers, like Fred Davis, help make this important work possible. Since roughly 2008, Davis has spent six days a week at the Serving Seniors Gary and Mary West Senior Wellness Center serves as a liaison to help clients access much-needed resources. Here, he shares what keeps him coming back day after day. 

What made you want to get involved with Serving Seniors?

I have a community outreach ministry and my grandson and I were on the streets downtown handing out sack lunches, water, hygiene products, clothes and shoes, and things like that and I noticed that most of the people I met appeared to be seniors. So the next logical step for me was to find a senior group that I could work with. I heard about Serving Seniors, and I made a few phone calls. No one really responded to me, so I showed up. They opened the door for me and now they can’t get rid of me. I found a home. I’ve met some really good people over the years. And as it turned out, I’ve been here longer than most of them. I’ve been here at the West Center ever since the doors opened. And matter of fact, I was the one who gave Gary and Mary West an award for their generous donation that made it possible to open up this center.

What do your volunteer duties entail? 

I’m in ministry, but I don’t want that to be the highlight of what I do. It’s not just a passion for serving people, it’s a calling. I like the idea of giving and serving people and trying to meet their needs. So I counsel, I oversee the serving of the lunches, and I work with the head of the volunteer group. I’m involved in different activities. Matter of fact, this coming Saturday, I’m going to take a group of seniors out sailing. I also helped start the Civic Engagement Group. It was a group of us, and there are about three members that are left from when we originally started it. Now Serving Seniors is taking it over, and my role is to work with them. I also took it a little bit further and ended up joining Aging and Independent Services and sat on that advisory board for a number of years. That led to me being elected to the California Senior Legislature. So I’ve been advocating for seniors for a very long time. They’re a vulnerable group. They worked hard and don’t always get the respect that they deserve. 

What do you like best about volunteering at Serving Seniors? 

The people—this is my target group right here. I don’t have to walk the streets like my grandson and I did anymore; they’re right here. I’m here every day at the West Center but Sunday. 

What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced? 

The biggest challenge is not being able to help someone who really needs the help. But we try to find a way. I reach out to different organizations, faith-based organizations or other nonprofits, sometimes with success and a lot of times without success. There are quite a few people that are in need who are hardworking people, dedicated people who still want to provide for themselves and their family, and they’re just caught in that void.

Can you describe your favorite or most memorable experience while volunteering?

I was handing out clothes; I usually have a sock drive and I gave a homeless person a pair of socks. As they peeled their filthy socks off their feet, this person cried. You don’t know how important these little things are that we take for granted. It was really touching. 

Any advice for someone considering volunteering as a way to give back?

A lot of people use the term giving back, but I just say giving. When you say ‘giving back,’ that means you’re trying to repay something and you’re taking credit. But giving is a passion. It’s something that you do from your heart, not out of obligation. 

August 1: Curebound Cancer Challenge 

Raise money for cancer research while you work out at the Curebound Cancer Challenge. Fundraisers will cycle along the San Diego coastline, run a 10K on the UC San Diego campus, and participate in group spin, yoga, and strength classes. 

August 1: No Curveballs: Rally for Type 1 Diabetes Early Detection
The San Diego Padres, Nick Jonas’ nonprofit Beyond Type 1, and the King of the Hill Foundation will host No Curveballs: Rally for Type 1 Diabetes Early Detection at Gallagher Square. Padres pitchers Mason Miller, who lives with Type 1 diabetes, and Michael King, whose wife, Sheila, lives with T1D, will share their stories during a panel discussion, and on-site education and screening will be available.

August 1: No Curveballs: Rally for Type 1 Diabetes Early Detection

The San Diego Padres, Nick Jonas’ nonprofit Beyond Type 1, and the King of the Hill Foundation will host No Curveballs: Rally for Type 1 Diabetes Early Detection at Gallagher Square. Padres pitchers Mason Miller, who lives with Type 1 diabetes, and Michael King, whose wife, Sheila, lives with T1D, will share their stories during a panel discussion, and on-site education and screening will be available.

August 1: Club Masterpiece: One Haute Havana Night

Patrons of the Prado will channel 1950s Havana at this year’s Masterpiece Gala. Club Masterpiece: One Haute Havana Night will raise money for Balboa Park cultural institutions and will include a special honor for philanthropists Joan and Irwin Jacobs. 

August 3: CaddyHack Golf Festival 

Golfers will tee off to support Boys to Men Mentoring at the CaddyHack Golf Festival. Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, the charity golf tournament will include golf, music, food, and fun at Fairbanks Ranch Country Club. 

August 7: Music By Eras Fundraiser for TERI Campus of Life

Acclaimed San Diego musicians will join together to support TERI’s programs and services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Music By Eras performance at TERI’s Bornemann Theatre will feature artists Whitney Shay, Jesse Ray Smith, Lauren Leigh, and Will Stucky. 

August 8: 80th Annual Jewel Ball 

Las Patronas will recreate the magic of Venice at its 80th annual Jewel Ball. Las Patronas has spent the entire year preparing for the event, as well as raising money to support nonprofit organizations across San Diego County. 

August 14: Shelter to Soldier Be the Light Gala

Help Shelter to Soldier train rescue dogs to be psychiatric service animals for local veterans at the 14th annual Be the Light Gala aboard the USS Midway Museum. The gala will include silent and live auctions, dinner, dessert, and appearances by canine ambassadors and veteran recipients. 

August 15: Haute with Heart Fashion Show 

St. Madeline Sophie’s Center will celebrate its “hidden diamonds” at its 48th annual Haute with Heart Fashion Show. The lively event at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront will include a pre-luncheon reception, live music, a live auction, a stunning fashion show, and surprise entertainment to benefit the nonprofit’s programs for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

August 15: Symphony at Salk’s Concert Under the Stars

The Bacon Brothers will perform with the San Diego Symphony at this year’s Concert Under the Stars. Now in its 30th year, Symphony at Salk supports research in areas such as cancer, Alzheimer’s, wellness, and agriculture. 

August 22: SummerFest Gala 2026

La Jolla Music Society supporters will enjoy an evening of exclusive performances at its SummerFest Gala 2026. The event at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego will raise money for La Jolla Music Society’s artistic, learning, and engagement programs. 

August 28: 2026 Alpha Project Golf Tournament 

Tee off to help San Diegans facing homelessness at Alpha Project’s 16th Annual Charity Golf Classic. The four-person scramble at the Rancho Bernardo Inn Golf Resort and Spa will support the Alpha Project’s housing, employment, recovery, and support services. 

August 29: Relay for Life of San Diego

Walkers will join forces to celebrate cancer survivors and remember those who lost their fight at the annual Relay for Life of San Diego. The 24-hour relay at Liberty Station NTC Park is part of a global network of similar events that raise money for the American Cancer Society. 

August 29: A Night United: Illuminating the Way

United Way of San Diego County will host its A Night United: Illuminating the Way gala at Eve, an event destination on San Diego Bay. The elegant evening will benefit UWSD’s mission to improve lives and strengthen communities across the region. 

July 11: USD Wine Classic

Enjoy tastings from more than 20 wineries and gourmet bites at the University of San Diego Wine Classic. The all-inclusive annual event benefits USD’s Alumni Endowed Scholarship Fund, and to date has raised more than $1 million. 

July 18: The Pride 5K Run & Walk

Around 1,700 runners and walkers will hit the streets of Hillcrest for the The Pride 5K Run & Walk, before the Pride Parade. The long-running community favorite is a highlight of Pride Week and raises money for San Diego Pride and the LGBT Center’s Youth Housing Project. 

July 20: Brendan Nordholm Make-a-Wish Golf Classic

The 37th annual Brendan Nordholm Make-A-Wish Golf Classic will tee off at The Crosby National Golf Club at Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club. The 18-hole tournament, followed by a reception, will help the organization grant wishes for local families. 

July 23: Foundation for Developmental Disabilities Christmas in July 

Help the Foundation for Developmental Disabilities celebrate its 40th year at its Christmas in July fundraiser at Koi Zen Cellars. The festive evening marks the start of FDD’s annual Season of Sharing and guests are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy to donate. 

July 25: Caring, Sharing & Champagning Fundraiser 

Operation For HOPE Foundation’s ninth annual Caring, Sharing & Champagning Fundraiser will kick off with a charity shopping spree for household essentials for survivors of domestic violence and their children. Guests will then be treated to champagne, espresso martinis, and light bites at a private residence in Rancho Santa Fe.

July 25: The Doan Foundation’s Fourth Annual Gala Fundraiser

The Doan Foundation will host a formal fundraising dinner to benefit underserved youth and emerging creatives. The organization’s fourth annual Gala Fundraiser will feature a live performance by R&B artist Amanda Perez, other performances, scholarship awards, and inspiring stories.

June 4: St. Germaine Children’s Charity Star Bright Awards Dinner

St. Germaine Children’s Charity will host its annual grant awards dinner at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego. The grant funds that will be donated to local agencies that work to end child abuse were raised at various St. Germaine Children’s Charity fundraisers and events throughout the year. 

June 6: Senior Prom: Forever Young

Help San Diego seniors age gracefully at Senior Prom: Forever Young, a fundraiser for Meals on Wheels San Diego County. The retro school dance-themed gala at the Kona Kai San Diego Resort will help the nonprofit continue to deliver daily nutritious meals and friendly visits to local seniors.

June 12-14: Walk Against Human Trafficking

San Diego nonprofit GenerateHope and international charity Freedom Challenge will host a 45-mile, three-day walk from Oceanside to Coronado to help combat human trafficking. Funds raised will go toward Freedom Challenge’s work around the world and GenerateHope’s local programs that serve survivors of sex trafficking. 

June 13: Wildcoast’s Baja Bash 

Roughly 300 guests will gather at a private residence in Solana Beach for bites prepared by San Diego’s top sustainable chefs, along with fine wine, craft beer, and small batch mezcal and tequila to support coastal conservation in the U.S. and Mexico. Funds raised at Wildcoast’s Baja Bash will help expand its programs in 2026 and beyond.

June 20: CYAC Battle of the Badges

Local law enforcement, first responders, and military personnel will face off in a boxing match aboard the USS Midway Museum to raise money for the Community Youth Athletic Center. Now in its 21st year, the Battle of the Badges supports CYAC’s boxing programs for underprivileged youth.

Home of Guiding Hands Legends Among Us: Rockin’ for a Cause Gala 

May 2

Home of Guiding Hands will host its Legends Among Us: Rockin’ for a Cause Gala at the Hard Rock Hotel San Diego. Now in its 52nd year, the gala will honor San Diegans who have made a lasting impact for adults and children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. 

San Diego Humane Society Walk for Animals

May 2

Thousands of animal lovers will help the San Diego Humane Society make a difference for more than 40,000 animals in need at the 32nd annual Walk for Animals. The family- and dog-friendly event at NTC Park in Liberty Station includes a pancake breakfast, live music, and a vendor village.

Father Joe’s Villages Children’s Champions Gala & Match Challenge

May 2

Father Joe’s Villages will host its 41st annual Children’s Champions Gala & Match Challenge at the US Grant. Supporters are invited to attend the gala or make a meaningful gift to the campaign, or both, to help San Diego families move from crisis toward self-sufficiency. 

Junior League of San Diego Party for a Purpose: Jewels of the Cosmos

May 2

Junior League of San Diego will host its largest annual fundraiser Party for a Purpose: Jewels of the Cosmos at the San Diego Air & Space Museum. The celestial-inspired evening will support Junior League of San Diego’s efforts to combat food insecurity across San Diego County.

St. Germaine Children’s Charity Cocktails & Conversation

May 7

St. Germaine Children’s Charity will highlight one of its grant recipients, The Chadwick Center for Children and Families at Rady Children’s Hospital, at its spring Cocktails & Conversation. The goal of the event at a private home in La Jolla is to help members better understand the impact of their donations. 

ArtReach’s Golden Hour Fundraiser

May 7

ArtReach will debut a new event, Golden Hour, to showcase the talents of its young members and support its programs. The nonprofit’s Hillcrest studio will be transformed into a gallery filled with creativity, music, and community, all built around the theme Made in San Diego. 

San Diego River Park Foundation River Days 5K Walk for Wildlife 

May 9

Support wildlife conservation in the San Diego River Watershed at the San Diego River Park Foundation’s 2026 River Days 5K Walk for Wildlife. The walk and fun run at the Riverwalk Golf Club is family- and dog-friendly. 

Arc of San Diego Annual Gala  

May 16

Arc of San Diego will celebrate joie de vivre and the enchantment, wonder, and the spirit of giving that often comes with it at its 2026 Annual Gala. The elegant event at the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina will benefit children and adults with disabilities served by the Arc of San Diego.

La Jolla Historical Society Secret Garden Tour 

May 16

The La Jolla Historical Society will give guests exclusive access to six of La Jolla’s most extraordinary private gardens at its 27th annual Secret Garden Tour. This year, guests have the opportunity to add a “lunch and learn” experience which includes a buffet lunch at a historic site and a session with a master gardener. 

St. Madeline Sophie’s Center 60th Anniversary Fundraiser

May 16

St. Madeline Sophie’s Center will celebrate its 60th anniversary with a California Dreamin’ themed fundraiser in its headquarters’ two-acre garden. Proceeds from the event will benefit the nonprofit’s gardening and aquatics programs for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. 

McAlister Institute Miracles of Recovery Luncheon

May 19

Community leaders, advocates, and people in recovery will gather for an inspiring afternoon hosted by nonprofit substance use disorder treatment provider, the McAlister Institute. At its ninth annual Miracles of Recovery Luncheon at Coasterra, the McAlister Institute will honor those who have made an impact for individuals and families affected by substance use disorders through service, philanthropy, and advocacy.