Keeping the senior community connected is the mission of The Carmel Foundation, an organization of dedicated neighbors looking after one another. Serving Carmel and the broader Monterey Peninsula with delicious meals, assistance obtaining critical social services and affordable housing, the Carmel Foundation also hosts a vibrant weekly program of classes and Saturday movies.
That’s what neighbors do. And they’ve been doing it for 74 years, one year longer than the Concours d’Elegance has been held at Pebble Beach.
To support these vital programs, The Carmel Foundation is excited to launch its Joy of Giving annual virtual auction! The event kicks off on Friday, November 29, at 9:00 AM at carmel2024.ggo.bid and concludes on Sunday, December 1, at 9:00 PM. Don’t miss your chance to bid and make a difference!
The list of auction items is exactly what you’d expect from the Carmel-Monterey area: fantastic food, world class wine, golf, art, fashion and lunches with local dignitaries.
Participating wineries and resorts include Bernardus Lodge, Caraccioli Cellars, Pisoni Vineyards and Holman Ranch, offering one-of-a-kind tours and tastings, like lunch in front of Ingrid’s Vineyard at Bernardus Lodge with a vineyard tour by Matt Shea. Schied Vineyards created a reserve tasting paired with a cheese platter from the Cheese Shop. Pisoni Vineyards donated two magnums of Pinot Noir that will be auctioned off together. The Foundation’s Board of Directors put together a premium wine collection called “Board Choice.”
Hungry? Michelin-starred Chez Noir, Roy’s at Spanish Bay, Stationaery, Grasing’s, La Playa Carmel, Mission Ranch, Portabella, Catch, Anton & Michel, Carmel Belle, Woody’s, Sandbar and Grill, La Mia Cucina, Fishwife, and Kona have all pitched in with special dinners and gift certificates for memorable dining. And, it’s the Monterey Peninsula, so of course there are golf packages, including golf for four at the Hay, Bayonet Black Horse and Carmel Valley Ranch.
Unique experiences like lunch with Secretary Leon Panetta, Congressman Jimmy Panetta and Carmel Police Chief Paul Tomasi are sure to see a lot of action. A “Big Sur Getaway” package features a private tour of the iconic Emile Norman House, a night at Deetjen’s, and lunch at Nepenthe: an epic escape. But wait, there are two tickets to the 74th annual Concours at Pebble, and two tickets to the Friday at Pebble Beach Pro-Am in February. Plus there’s a two-night stay at The Homestead, gorgeous art by local talent Erin Gafill and brunch for four at Mission Ranch.
Carmel Foundation President and CEO Kim Stemler may have only been on the job for a few months, but she’s already thrown her notoriously big heart and ability to get things done into making a difference for this group of 19 who serve their fellow citizens, age 55 and over, every day of the year.
Stemler says, “74 years ago, a group of neighbors got together and asked, ‘How can we create a place where older people in the Carmel area can go to feel less alone?’” And thus, was born the Carmel Foundation, a vibrant organization that today serves members 55 plus in the Monterey County area and beyond. The Foundation helps seniors live their best lives, with a luncheon program, homebound meal delivery, free mobility equipment loans, free lending library, Saturday movies, and more than 60 classes and activities each week.
Director of Development Jen Hollingsworth, who’s been involved with the Foundation for 13 years, adds, “So many in our community don’t have family close by. Our services bring people together, keep seniors connected and help avoid social isolation.”
“We serve as a hub, connecting seniors to the services they need through referrals and support,” says Stemler. “In addition, we offer 60 programs each week, ranging from art and culture to wellness and games.” Key service provider partners include the Alliance on Aging, Central Coast Senior Services, Legal Services for Seniors, Alzheimer’s Association, VNA, MST, Montage Health, and River School’s Grandpals Intergenerational Program.
Stemler is bullish on the weekly lunches and the ongoing classes the Foundation has curated. “We offer a wide range of activities, including meditation, yoga, fitness, a men’s group, arts, woodworking, discussion groups, poker and other card games, movies, and public talks. It’s like a college campus—without the credits! Our fully staffed restaurant, led by the same chef for 20 years, serves lunch four days a week. A hot lunch is just $6 and salmon is $7. Guests can dine in, pick up meals to-go, or have meals delivered to their homes. We deliver to around 100 people, including those temporarily homebound due to surgery or other circumstances. Additionally, we lend mobility equipment like walkers and wheelchairs free of charge, with no expectation of return. It’s all about making life a little easier for those who need it most.”
Affordable housing is an increasingly urgent issue that becomes harder to address each year. Yet, as Stemler explains, “We provide affordable housing for very low-income seniors. Imagine trying to live on $1,200 or less per month from Social Security—how could anyone afford both food and housing without support? While the waitlist is 6 to 7 years long, individuals aged 62 or older with a qualifying disability, or those 65 and older who meet the criteria, can apply for our housing program.”
All these services must be funded. Stemler says, “We need $400,000 to cover the deficit from our meal program and another $400,000 to support the deficit in our housing program,” explains Stemler. “Membership starts at just $60 per year, giving access to our incredible amenities, plus a small fee per meal. Of course, larger donations are always welcomed and deeply appreciated.”
That’s where the Joy of Giving annual virtual online auction comes in. Perfectly timed for holiday shopping, the auction opens Friday, November 29, 9:00am at carmel2024.ggo.bid and wraps up Sunday, December 1, at 9:00pm.
A wide range of home goods, gift baskets, jewelry, tickets to music events—think Bach Festival—plus relaxing hotel and spa packages, makes this year’s auction the perfect place to get most of your holiday shopping done without dealing with malls or crowds. Just expect plenty of virtual company online.
Honestly, if you don’t want to bid on just about all of these items, maybe you really don’t live here. But hey, even if bidding isn’t your thing, donations are always in style—and they promise, they pair perfectly with good karma!
As Stemler says, “You’re going to spend the money anyway—why not make it count by supporting a worthy cause?”
Grab your cup of Carmel Roasting coffee and get ready to bid, starting 9am Nov. 29 on Black Friday. The frenzy continues until Sunday night, Dec. 1, at 9pm.
Looking To 2025
Stemler and Hollingsworth are thrilled about last year’s acquisition of the Red Cross building at 8th and Dolores, which is set to become a vibrant health and wellness center. “The current plan is to transform the large garage into a stationary weight room equipped with weight machines, along with spaces for yoga, Pilates, meditation, and even a juice bar,” says Stemler. “We’re also planning an exterior concrete pad for those beautiful Carmel days when outdoor workouts are a perfect option. An architect will be assessing how we can repurpose the space, which currently consists of many small rooms in the center of the building. Since it’s a renovation, we’re optimistic about opening by the end of next year.”
They’re also excited about the upcoming Philanthropic Foodies event at La Playa in January, featuring an elegant sit-down dinner with a winemaker. They’re even considering launching a Carmel Supper Club, offering monthly food and wine pairings. “Naturally, it will feature only Monterey wines,” says Stemler.
About the author
Laura Ness is a longtime wine journalist, columnist and judge who contributes regularly to Edible Monterey Bay, Spirited, WineOh.Tv, Los Gatos Magazine and Wine Industry Network, and a variety of consumer publications. Her passion is telling stories about the intriguing characters who inhabit the fascinating world of wine and food.
