The 15th Annual Conner’s Cause gala at Birch Aquarium, titled Waves Of Love, raised over $62,000 to support direct family assistance for out-of-pocket expenses relating to any and all life-threatening illnesses associated with children. Guests opened their hearts and their pocketbooks for this very worthy cause. Mike and Diane Branon offered the “Branon Challenge” — matching up to $25,000 for the Fund-a-Family raise the paddle. Since its inception, the Encinitas-based nonprofit organization has helped over 1,500 families with direct financial assistance for medical treatment, home care, medication, transportation and lodging for out-of-area medical care, utilities, gas cards, grief and bereavement counseling, and more. Photography by Bob Stefanko
