Celebrating the Success of the Team Caring House Triathlon Celebration

Team Caring House Triathlon Celebration 2022Nearly 100 members of our community came together on Sunday morning, August 14, to celebrate Team Caring House after they competed in the Hermosa Beach Triathlon for the second year in a row. This year’s relay team – Janette Dawson (swimming), Jon Mesko (biking) and Zach Ruff (running) – came in third overall.

Some of you may have seen the live videos we captured on Facebook that morning. Janette – who is an experienced triathlon competitor, in addition to serving on our Board of Directors – shared, “The swim was amazing. The water was really warm, the waves were perfect. I caught a really good wave in, passed a lot of swimmers, so hopefully I came in first or second!” Everyone was thrilled to learn that she and Jon both came in first place for their respective competitions.

This was also the first in-person fundraiser for Caring House, and it was a success in many ways. Most notably, we brought in more than $42,000 with your support, which will allow more families to experience peace at the end of life at Caring House. This is the real first place win!

The team joined us after the race, as Caring House volunteers, families, supporters and staff gathered on the rooftop terrace of the Redondo Beach Hotel. It was a fun and casual atmosphere, complete with coffee and cookies provided by our friends at Mychal’s Bakery, so it felt like an extension of Caring House itself.

Guests enjoyed brunch and beverages, while perusing the many fundraising activities at the event. Among them, there were 20 silent auction packages featuring beach-themed items, fun experiences, and artwork by local artists, including our volunteers Penny Kastagir and Robert Reinhardt!

As the formal remarks began, guests were welcomed by Jon, who shared appreciation for the founding volunteers, current volunteers, staff, community partners and families. The attendees also heard from Torrance Memorial Hospice Nurse Tiffany Williams, Board Member Dan Hudson, and volunteer Zoe Kors, whose father was a resident in 2018. Board members Roxanne Arroues and Beka Malloy, who were also part of the event’s planning committee, engaged and inspired the guests, and the formal remarks were concluded by Board Chair Robin Camrin.

We are incredibly grateful to our sponsors, whose support greatly contributed to the event’s success:

  • Lead Sponsor – “Speed Swimmers” – Torrance Memorial Medical Staff
  • “Swift Cyclers” – The Arroues Family in memory of Billy Lyons and Oakwood Wealth Partners
  • “Rapid Runners” – Compassionate Care Hospice and Home Health; Healing Care Hospice; ISU Insurance – The Olson Duncan Agency; Providence Little Company of Mary; Linda and Victor Reinhardt; Servatius, O’Brien & Fong, LLP; Torrance Refining Company; and Victoria Hospice Services
  • “Cheerleaders” – Evergreen Hospice; First Foundation Bank; Malaga Bank; Roze Room; the Schultz Family, in honor of our Compassionate Caregivers; and the Wishon Family, in memory of Wendy Adams Fisher

We are also grateful to the many business and individuals who contributed to the silent auction and other activities, including Aquarium of the Pacific; AR Workshop Torrance; Roxanne and John Arroues; Bodywork by Miinkay; California Pizza Kitchen; Robin Camrin; Continental Development Corporation; Costco; Janette Dawson and Adam Pomfret; Chris and Kim Engen; ET Surfboards; Ellen Gorbunoff; Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn; Hammitt; Suzanne Hoggan, Lip’Shinin Marketing; Mary Hornickel and John D’Isacco, The Wellness Company; Penny Kastagir; LA Galaxy; Robin MacDonnell; Beka Malloy; Jon Mesko; Mychal’s Learning Place; Charlene Nishimura; Lisa Pahl and Lori LoCicero, co-creators of The Death Deck; The Portofino Hotel and Marina; Ralphs; Red Car Brewery & Restaurant; The Redondo Beach Hotel; Robert Reinhardt; Liz Reinhardt; Adrian Sandstrom; Scotty’s on the Strand; Starbucks Store 9189 at Artesia and Prarie; Surf For Keenan; Tony P’s Dockside Grill; Torrance Memorial Medical Center; Trader Joe’s; Triathlon Lab; Glenn and Cindy Wishon; and Lisa Zain.

Finally, thank you to everyone who supported Team Caring House and the Triathlon Celebration through financial support, cheers and encouragement. You are all part of Team Caring House, because you are helping us provide peace, comfort, support and dignity to families in our community together!

– Click here or anywhere on the image below for more photos from the event –

(Photos by Sara Myers)

Team Caring House Triathlon Celebration 2022