Las Patronas celebrates 80 years of philanthropy at Festa di Venezia Jewel Ball

Las Patronas celebrated 80 years of philanthropy with its milestone Jewel Ball, Festa di Venezia, welcoming more than 800 guests to the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club for an enchanting evening inspired by the romance and splendor of Venice. Jewel Ball Chair Jenny McGowan and Las Patronas President Colleen Lighter led the sold-out celebration, where guests were transported to Italy through immersive décor, specialty cocktails, an elegant dinner, performances by a Mainly Mozart quartet and opera singers, and dancing under the stars to Signature Music. Venetian touches ranged from a gondola floating in the pool and a recreation of the Orologio tower in St. Mark’s Square to classic Italian automobiles and projections of Venice throughout the ballroom. The evening also featured a film celebrating Las Patronas’ eight decades of impact and the organization’s first exclusive silent auction.

The 2026 Jewel Ball Major Beneficiaries include Alpha Project for the Homeless, Canine Companions, Meals on Wheels San Diego County, National Marine Mammal Foundation, Promises2Kids, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, and Workshops for Warriors. laspatronas.org