Honorees Tim and Lisa Sloan are joined by Villa Esperanza CEO Kelly White at Villa Esperanza Services’ Blue & White gala, themed “Leave an Impression,” recently held at the Langham Huntington Hotel. The evening celebrated the art of people with intellectual/developmental disabilities, of which many pieces were on display and for sale.
In an evening of glitz and giving, more than 250 people came together at the Langham Huntington Hotel on Saturday night as Villa Esperanza Services Blue & White Gallery honored those in the community who make the organization’s programs for the developmentally disabled a possibility.
San Marino residents Lisa and Tim Sloan received Villa Esperanza’s prestigious Guardian Angel Award for the tremendous impact they are making in the lives of children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Lisa Sloan has served as a Villa Esperanza committee member and current board member. Lisa and Tim Sloan, CEO of Wells Fargo, have also supported Villa Esperanza for many years as donors. In addition, Wells Fargo has given more than $1 million to Villa.
Jeri Wright, a board and benefit committee member for Villa Esperanza, said in a statement that the Sloans were extremely worthy of being honored and noted they inspired this year’s event theme, “Leave an Impression.”
“Lisa and Tim have left an impression with everyone at Villa with their steadfast commitment to making a difference, their tireless support for our clients and programs and their amazing generosity,” Wright said.
Lisa Sloan said being recognized for giving to Villa Esperanza is something she is extremely proud of.
“It’s an incredible honor to be here tonight and to be honored by Villa,” Lisa Sloan said. “I always say they are the ‘Little Engine That Could’ in nonprofits. They seem to do so much for the 650 children, adults and seniors.”
She added the work the nonprofit performs for those it serves is unparalleled.
“These are the miracles — plain and simple — that happen every day at Villa, because of the angels who disguise themselves as teachers, therapists and aides to these very, very special clients,” she said. “Villa Esperanza is an amazing place and we encourage you to get to know it.”
Tim Sloan said he was glad he and his wife could help Villa Esperanza in many ways.
“This is a very special place,” he said. “You’ve seen that right away tonight. It’s very special for us. We have been blessed in a lot of ways, but we’ve been blessed with some terrific friends who are here tonight.”
Jay Henneberry, board chairman of Villa Esperanza, said he is extremely appreciative of the Sloans’ support for Villa Esperanza over the years.
“They not only give very generously in their financial support, but also of their time to improve the lives of others,” he said of the Sloans. “I can say for certain that they made a very lasting and large impression on Villa for which we are profoundly grateful. These are not people who shy away from making a difference.”
The annual gala was a record-setting event, with 256 attendees raising more than $475,000. All net proceeds support Villa Esperanza’s programs for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Villa Esperanza Services is one of the few organizations offering programs that support individuals with disabilities at every stage of life and the annual gala celebrated the accomplishments of Villa’s children, adults and seniors, as well as the people who are touched by their capability to overcome challenges and adversity.
The need for services is growing, as autism affects one in 68 children in the U.S., an increase of 30% from five years ago.
In addition, Villa continues to be a leader in providing education for children who are on the moderate-to-severe end of the spectrum. The school includes speech and language, occupational and behavior therapy for students ranging from elementary to high school.
For adults and seniors, Villa also offers residential and employment services, independent living skills training as well as three adult day programs.
For more information or to learn how to donate, visit villaesperanzaservices.org.
