A Royal Culinary Event Fit for a Queen Fundraiser for the Vanilla Queen, Patricia Rain September 28, 2008 Noon - 4 PM Seymour Center at Long Marine Lab 100 Shaffer Rd, Santa Cruz, CA Overlooking the Monterey Bay! Lunch Local Wine Tasting Live Music

Thank you all for coming and/or supporting the Vanilla Queen at her fundraiser. She is overwhelmed with your love and generosity!

And many thanks to all the chefs listed below, Jeffery Luhn who took this beautiful photo, and all those who donated items for the auction. Without you it would not have been the success that it was.

We are delighted to announce our talented chefs and restaurants who will be donating culinary delights for your tasting plate. These represent the BEST restaurants and chefs in Santa Cruz!  

Thank you to Jeffrey Jay Luhn for kindly providing the group photo at the top of this page.

Throughout much of the world, Patricia Rain is most noted for her work on behalf of vanilla growers worldwide. She founded the International Tropical Farmer’s Network to provide a means for growers to share production information, to explore Fair Trade and organic certification options, to learn new strategies for marketing their crops, and to create a united position for fair wages and the opportunity for better lives for vanilla farmers and their families.

For most of her adult life Patricia Rain has been working with under-represented people.  Whether it was writing school programs for slow learners, working with inner-city youth in San Francisco in the 1960s, with mentally ill adults in San Mateo County in the 1970s or acting as the voice for poor tropical commodities producers, her focus has been on assisting others.  Being a member of the Global Women's Leadership Network has provided an abiding passion to assist women in developing countries to establish independent revenue streams to support themselves and their children.  Since 2001 when she launched The Vanilla.COMpany online, she has dedicated countless hours working with farmers and women in developing countries.  Even while dealing with breast cancer and being in treatment since 2003, she has continued to work for change.

Patricia was diagnosed with Stage IV (very advanced) breast cancer in 2003 but managed miraculously to get into complete remission twice. We feel this is due to the large outpouring of love, mantras, masses and prayers sent her way from loyal subjects, devotees, and admirers from all around the world who have themselves already been recipients of her love and sacrifice.  Recently, cancer was again detected in her liver but fortunately limited itself to one tumor which was successfully removed along with 40% of her liver which her body is now hard at work rebuilding. 

At this time, Patricia is in need of funds to pay for her mounting medical bills as well as living expenses. There are many costs that are not covered by Medi-Care, including supplements, medical equipment, food, etc.  Additionally, she is assisting a young Somali get out of Somalia where he faces certain death, and into Uganda until/unless he can get amnesty and come to the US.  She also provides vitamins and essential care needs to a single mother and her family in Uganda.

Patricia feels that her work on the planet is not complete and intends to dedicate her time on earth assisting women in developing countries. She is also dedicated to her two grandsons and would like to instill in them a strong sense of stewardship for our planet. This is your chance to help this wonderful woman continue to live a life of giving on behalf of others.

For general event information about the Patricia Rain benefit, contact:
Kathy Long
(831)335-2152
public@katandmouse.com

This event is sponsored by UnitedWay. • Donations are tax deductible.