charity

On November 17th, the Epi Center MedSpa hosted a coat drive in conjunction with the national organization ONE WARM COAT. Its mission: to provide any person in need with a warm coat.

On Thursday December 3rd at the Presidio Officer’s Club, Children of Shelters held their 2009 Designer Wreath Auction to raise $200,000 to benefit homeless children in San Francisco.

 

Photography by Drew Altizer

Once the site of a legendary music recording studio and now home to twelve ultra-sustainable and stylish live/work lofts, Lofts @ Cherokee Studios was recently the venue of a rock-and-roll-inspired designer showcase: Rock-n-Platinum, which raised funds for Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles (HFHGLA).

Last October, 10 teams of architects, designers, builders and engineers worked tirelessly to create structures never intended to be habitable. Instead of bricks, they used cans of food for the Fourth Annual Canstruction LA, a design/build contest. Built and exhibited at 5900 Wilshire Boulevard, when disassembled, the structures resulted in a donation of 60,000 cans—around 20 tons of food—to the Los Angeles Regional Foodbank. “The Foodbank is grateful for the design community’s support,” said Michael Flood, president and CEO of the Los Angeles Regional Foodbank. “This creative architectural display offers something for the local community to enjoy while they help us end hunger here in Los Angeles.”

More than 250 people gathered to enjoy an evening of wine tasting, delicious hors d’oeuvres and divine auction items at the Bently Reserve on Friday, November 6, to benefit Catholic Charities CYO’s St. Vincent’s School for Boys and the San Francisco Boys & Girls Homes. Vincenzo 2009 raised more than $160,000 to support youth residing in these residential youth programs of Catholic Charities CYO.

There are so many great opportunities for architects, designers and design-lovers to give back and help their fellow Californians. Here are our top ten ways to pitch in over the year ahead.