Over 450 join Birds and Bees Planned Parenthood fundraiser

The annual Central Coast Planned Parenthood Birds and Bees bash drew over 450 guests at the Santa Barbara Hilton Beachfront Resort Saturday night, and they came away with an annual update on the services provided.

The attendees learned that the five clinics on the Central Coast had over 58,000 visits last year. For some it was their only source of health care.

This included services for patients needing pregnancy tests, cancer screening, STD screening, pre natal screening, gender affirming hormone care, students, inmates and those seeking information to make decisions about their body and future care.

Outside of the event were students from St. Thomas Aquinas College (Ventura County) with signs against the organization, abortion and Planned Parenthood work. They were on sidewalks at the hotel entrance and on Milpas Street nearby. Some drivers going by honked their horns. They also had printed material for those interested. It was produced by the group Human Life Alliance from Minnesota.

The event featured host Geoff Green who said, ” we’ve had some huge challenges and huge hills to climb, but we have also had some wonderful victories. Some who may have been quiet, silent supporters come out and proudly declare their support for this work. ”

The Jean K. Schuyler award went to Dan Hone. He joined the Board of Directors in 1989. His family has been involved in sex education since the 1920’s starting in the Bay area.

President and CEO Jenna Tosh said, with new on line services, and a virtual health care APP, patients in rural areas or difficult schedules, ” can access birth control without ever entering a health center. ”

She said the ” attacks from Washington D.C. ” were profound, on ” people of color, poor people and women. The people who are the most impacted by these attacks are the people who are the most marginalized in our community. In November, this country rejected the attacks of this administration when we elected more women and people of color to Congress than ever before.”

In the report, the audience learned there is currently an all time low adolescent birth rate.

The fundraising used an on the spot APP to send in a contribution. More than $120,000 was raised as the event concluded.

Among those in the audience were Rep. Salud Carbajal ( D-24th District) , Assemblymember Monique Limon ( D-37th District) , County Supervisor Das Williams, former Congresswoman Lois Capps , School Board Member Laura Capps , former Mayor Shiela Lodge, Santa Barbara City Councilman Jason Dominguez and Goleta City Councilman James Kyriaco .

For more information : https://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-california-central-coast