“Philanthropy touches every part of this institution and the involvement of younger generations of our community is so important and greatly appreciated,”

- John Loder, Foundation President

The inspiration for the Debutante Ball began three years ago with a group of dynamic philanthropic women who wanted to bring together their various associations with the hospital to help build a younger community of donors and develop a program that supports the self esteem of young women on the Peninsula.

“The Thanksgiving Cotillion is a great way to celebrate everything these young ladies have achieved, from honor roll to athletics,” said Mrs. Melanie Ryan, chairperson of the event. “When our debs come home from college at Thanksgiving, they are recognized and supported by our community and their families and friends. This event is also a wonderful way for them to give back to their community by supporting their local hospital.”

This year’s honorary chairs are local philanthropists, Mrs. Peggy Bort Jones and Sheila O’Connor Burns. “The cotillion is a creative way to make a difference,” said Sheila McWilliams, event committee member. “We honor the achievements of outstanding young ladies in our community and build a bridge to the Hospital Foundation.”

“As a debutante for the 2010 Thanksgiving Cotillion, I feel I’m making an important contribution to the Mills-Peninsula Hospital Foundation,” said debutante Lauren Elizabeth Miceli. “I’m helping to raise money for our local hospital, the place my little sister and brother were born, and the place we go to in case of an emergency. It’s a great way of giving back to my community. I’m truly honored to be participating in an event with such a great cause.”

Many of the debutantes went to school together and for some, they are the first in their family to take part in a cotillion. The concept of giving is not new to the college-bound girls; some have a long history of volunteering and a family tradition of philanthropy. Most of the girls have been involved with numerous charities including the National Charity League, Inc., Peninsula Family Service, Shelter Network, Second Harvest, Mills-Peninsula Hospital Foundation and other charities.

I am so proud of all our girls. Our charity has grown and the benefits to the hospital and our community continue to shine. Can't wait until November 27th!

All my best,

Melanie

Practice Makes Perfect...

In June, our Thanksgiving Cotillion debutantes of 2010 attended a party at the Hillsborough home of debutante Betsy Miceli’s parents, Scott and Lora Peterson. The girls learned waltzing skills from Mr. and Mrs. James Millet of the Junior Manners Cotillion. Meanwhile, the deb’s Moms and the Thanksgiving Cotillion and Debutante Ball committee members sipped champagne and enjoyed hors de ‘oeuvres as they watched the girls dance the night away with their fathers and escorts. It was quite a lovely sight.

The girls also enjoyed a wonderful dinner dance at The Carolands, hosted by deb Annie Lufkin’s family, and a fashion show at Nordstrom’s arranged by Patricia Morgan-Urrutia for her daughter Kirsten and the other debs. Everyone really enjoyed these great events and the girls are preparing for our grand soiree later this year.

The girls and their mothers were given a tour of the new hospital by John Loder, President of the Mills-Peninsula Hospital Foundation. All our debs were able to sign their names on the sheetrock of the new hospital, and proceeds from the Thanksgiving Cotillion will fund state-of the art technologies in the new Medical Center.

We are so proud of our girls and all the help their involvemnet with our charity brings- looking forward to seeing you all in November!

Cheers,

Melanie

Mrs. T.J.Ryan III (Melanie Davis Ryan)
Chairqueen of the Ball
415-699-RYAN

Everyone is so excited for our upcoming Hospital Tour and Luncheon on June 18th & Waltz Lesson/Cocktail Party on June 19th! (^_^) We also have scheduled a gala rehearsal on November 26th in anticipation of the wonderful Charity Ball on November 27th.

Our Debs are getting ready for their photo session and many other events that make being a Thanksgiving Cotillion Debutante so memorable. Special thanks to everyone who helps make our event possible throughout the year.

★☆★ Check back here for more details and updates soon! ★☆★

Cheers,

Melanie

I used to detest visiting my Dad in the hospital. I don’t think that ANYONE actually enjoys visiting a loved one when they are sick, but I really dreaded the smell, the attitude of the sullen hospital staff and the dismal environment while attending to my father's well-being several times a day.

Medication mix-ups and overdoses, missed dialysis appointments, broken equipment... I won’t even start with the lack of parking, the sub-standard air conditioning, or the abysmal cafeteria.

Finally, I got the impersonal call at 3:00 a.m. that my Dad had "expired", I kept hoping the nurse was talking about a carton of milk or an overdue library book. It was then that I made the decision to volunteer at Mills-Peninsula, my local hospital. I wanted our hospital to be a great facility that would make its patients and their families feel warm and welcome in a time of distress.

When you attend an event for your child’s school, you know that you’ll see your buddies from drop-off, or basketball games, or your fellow hot lunch volunteers. At a hospital fundraiser you rarely find yourself exclaiming, “It was so great to see you in the emergency room last week!”

Several years ago, while consulting my friends regarding the need for a fun event to raise much needed funding for our hospital, we conjured up with a brilliant idea. Why not plan a debutante ball to benefit the Mills-Peninsula Hospital Foundation?

Many of our friends had daughters heading off to college, and we felt it would be a great way to celebrate their achievements and accomplishments. We knew there were debutante balls in San Francisco and farther south, but this would be for our girls, and for our hospital. An event not just for social elevation, but for a worthy cause.

As many of you know, I was a reluctant debutante. Wearing a long white gown and gloves was soooo not my thing. Despite my initial lack of enthusiasm, waltzing with my father at my deb ball is one of my very favorite memories. The kind of memory that every daughter should share with her father and be able to smile about in years to come.

I hope that you will join me in honoring this year’s debutantes, and the memory of my father, by attending The Thanksgiving Cotillion this Thanksgiving weekend. There are so many great stories to share and enchanting memories to make. We look forward to seeing you there!
 
Melanie Ryan
Thanksgiving Cotillion and Debutante Ball Chairman