10/20/2025
Fedoras, fascinators and top hats all made an appearance at the St. Anthony Foundation’s 75th Anniversary Luncheon, themed Hats Off to You! Held at The Hibernia on August 21, the event honored the volunteers, donors and community members who have supported St. Anthony’s mission of providing hope, stability and renewal to people in need since 1950.
The gathering began with a silent auction featuring experiences such as a Feast With the Friars and a behind-the-scenes tour of the Asian Art Museum. A lively reception with music by Gage and Gold accompanied the bidding. Once seated, more than 200 guests enjoyed slow-poached salmon with lentils and summer mirepoix by Betty Zlatchin Catering. Dr. Larry Kwan, CEO of the St. Anthony Foundation, gave remarks and introduced Mayor Daniel Lurie. “All these faces in this room are the faces of resilience, the faces of hope,” said Lurie. “I’m telling you, we are turning a corner here in San Francisco, and we are doing it together.”
Other speakers included ceremony hostess Roberta Gonzales of KTVU and volunteer Robin Polastri, while guest Greg Boeddeker won the hat contest for his festooned masterpiece.
One highlight of the day was a moving speech by Efrain Gomez, who graduated from the organization’s Father Alfred Center recovery program and recently became St. Anthony’s dining room chef. “They gave me the tools to get and stay sober,” he said of his experience with St. Anthony’s. “They helped me in so many ways.”
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