Event also honored philanthropic icons Peter Seidler and Bill Walton and recognized the 2024 Fr. Joe Carroll “Hustler of the Year”
SAN DIEGO, CA – September 13, 2024: The Lucky Duck Foundation (LDF) last night announced more than $3 million in new investments across a multitude of initiatives at its Showcase Soirée fundraiser event at The Sound in Del Mar. Efforts include $1,000,000 to expand and enhance employment and job training opportunities, $1,000,000 to further prioritize aiding homeless youth and seniors, and more than $1,000,000 to add detox beds and other immediate pathways off the streets as well as to purchase and distribute several thousand winter coats that transform into sleeping bags this fall and winter.
“These critical programs are made possible by our very generous donors and will help advance our ability to prevent and alleviate the suffering of homelessness throughout San Diego County,” said Drew Moser, CEO of the Lucky Duck Foundation. “We are honored and humbled at the ongoing trust our supporters continue to place in us and we will do everything we can to help our most vulnerable neighbors find a brighter path.”
Bill Walton, the iconic San Diegan who tragically passed away in May, was posthumously recognized as the “Lucky Duck Person of the Year,” an award given annually to someone who gives extraordinary amounts of their time, talent, or treasure to advance LDF’s mission for the betterment of the community. Bill was actively involved with LDF since its founding in 2005 and was exceptionally loyal and generous in helping it achieve its mission. And, his wife Lori sits on LDF’s Board.
In honor of Peter Seidler, late owner of the San Diego Padres and LDF Executive Committee Member, LDF announced it will rename its symposiums on homelessness, “The Peter Seidler Way Symposiums on Homelessness” and committed to perpetuating the values that Peter embodied, including no concern for credit, collaboration, action, and implementing best-in-class strategies. Peter Seidler, Dan Shea, and the Lucky Duck Foundation have hosted more than 50 symposiums on homelessness since 2016 to convene politicians, service providers, government agencies, business leaders, and others to drive collaboration and progress.
Additionally, LDF recognized We See You San Diego as the “Fr. Joe Carroll Hustler of the Year,” an award given annually by LDF which honors a leader or organization who, like Fr. Joe Carroll (who was a special advisor to LDF’s Board and intimately involved with its work), fully commits to preventing and alleviating the suffering of homelessness by aiding those suffering on the streets. We See You San Diego provides immediate pathways off the streets into drug and alcohol recovery for a fraction of the time and cost it takes to add or provide housing. Included with the honor is a $250,000 commitment from LDF to help We See You San Diego scale its model.
LDF’s co-founders match all donations up to $1.5 million per year, and, leading the way to achieve this match were David & Vala Lueth, who generously contributed $1,000,000 at the Showcase Soirée.
For those who were unable to attend the Showcase Soirée but wish to donate, the Lucky Duck Foundation’s “virtual paddle raise” continues online at https://www.luckyduckfoundation.org.
