The 79th annual gala, set for Aug 2 at the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club, will benefit six major nonprofit organizations locally.
Pulling back the curtain on the 79th annual Jewel Ball, members of La Jolla-based philanthropy group Las Patronas hosted a preview of the much-anticipated event while showcasing the six major beneficiaries in San Diego County to receive capital projects this cycle.
Las Patronas, established in 1946, has donated nearly $30 million to more than a thousand charitable organizations locally, in year-long grant cycles during which all members work to fund projects for their beneficiaries.
Last year’s Jewel Ball and related fundraising netted $909,630 to the selected major beneficiaries.
The 2025 Jewel Ball is titled “Back En Pointe,” a ballet- and Parisian-themed ball, to be held Saturday, Aug 2, at the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club.
Attendees will experience the grandeur of the Palais Garnier, event designers said at a Jewel Ball preview April 18 at the La Jolla Playhouse. Guests can prepare for an opulent evening of dinner and dancing, a historical costume exhibit and surprise performances.
From left: Jewel Ball Design Chair Sara Carpenter, Jewel Ball Chair Katherine Emmert-Kozo, Jewel Ball President Rowena Treitler, Table Design Chairs Mimi Brunson and Dagmar Smek.
The Jewel Ball will include several elegant details to transport you to the magical and elegant world of ballet as you anticipate the performance,” said Table Design Co-Chair Dagmar Smek.
“This is no small feat,” said Las Patronas President Rowena Treitler.
The 2025 major beneficiaries and the items Las Patronas will be funding are:
- Camp Stevens: A passenger van to expand access to programs for underserved youth.
- Ivey Ranch Park Association: A wheelchair-accessible minivan to increase access for individuals with physical, emotional and developmental challenges
- Neighborhood House Association: Kitchen equipment to support the preparation of more than one million meals annually for children and adult day care centers.
- Fleet Science Center: A vehicle to support the center’s off-site programs.
- San Diego Youth Services: A minivan for San Diego’s only emergency shelter for minors.
- San Diego Youth Symphony: A van to transport students and more than 300 instruments for community programs across the county, expanding music education for underserved youth.
Representatives from the major beneficiaries expressed gratitude for their grant awards at the preview.
“Thank you so much, Las Patronas; we love you,” said Kathy Wilder, executive director of Camp Stevens, which will receive a grant-funded van that will allow the camp to “expand our accessibility and expand our impact.”
Las Patronas will also award capital funding of up to $20,000 to numerous minor beneficiaries.
In inviting community members to the Jewel Ball, event Chair Katherine Emmert-Kozo remarked on the “full circle” moment of hosting the preview at La Jolla Playhouse, the founding organization for which received the entire proceeds from the ninth annual Jewel Ball in 1954.
“It’s a wonderful bit of history,” Emmert-Kozo said. “I hope to see you dancing with us [Aug 2], pirouettes or not, tutus or not.”
Jewel Ball tickets will be available for purchase in June.
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