Rescue Mission Fundraiser Went ‘Back To The Bayou’

More than 300 people went “Back to the Bayou” for the Santa Barbara Rescue Mission fundraiser Saturday afternoon.

The weekend event had a fiesta theme this year. It was held at the Dos Pueblos Ranch for the 13th year in a row.

Flamenco dancers and a spanish guitarist entertained the crowd.

The Rescue Mission serves close to 145,000 meals a year. It also gives people a safe place to sleep at night. Last year, the organization provided nearly 64,000 overnight accommodations.

“This really sets the tone for our entire year. We have a $2 million budget. In the past few years the Bayou has raised around $400,000 in each year. That’s such a huge need for us and we’re just so excited to see the community so generous to us,” said Rolf Geyling.

The 2014 honoree of the Leni Fe Bland Award for her service is Betty Rosness. She is a long-standing board member for the Rescue Mission.

For more information on the organization’s services, click here.