Angel Island Association (AIA) is pleased to announce its 4th annual “Angel Lights” Benefit, will be held on Thursday, December 3rd at the Corinthian Yacht Club in Tiburon. The proceeds of this annual fundraiser will support AIA’s work for the benefit of Angel Island State Park, one of the Bay Area’s natural and historical gems.
Over the last three years, Angel Island has been polluted by an oil spill and ravaged by a dramatic fire. Now it is being threatened by the persistent State funding crisis. Although the Park is not slated for closure, its funding has been substantially reduced, creating the prospect of future service cuts. Yet, despite all of these difficulties, the Park remains a living embodiment of over two thousand years of Bay Area natural and social history. After being used for hunting and fishing by the Coast Miwok Native Americans, it served as a refuge for a famous Spanish explorer, a Civil War military camp, a U.S. immigration station (now a National Historic Landmark) and a State Park for the last 47 years.
A centerpiece of this year’s Benefit will be the lighting of new solar-powered Angel Lights atop Mt. Livermore. This 50-year tradition was interrupted last year because the fire destroyed the conventional lights and transmission equipment. The new lights are made possible by the generous financial support of PG&E, and their lighting will symbolize the resilience of the Island itself.
“By supporting organizations like AIA, the public can help ensure that local treasures like Angel Island State Park continue to exist and thrive for all of us to enjoy,” says Danita Rodriguez, Marin District Superintendent of California State Parks. “We are especially excited that this year’s AIA benefit will highlight one of the Park’s highest priorities – the ‘greening’ and sustainability of the park through the use of solar energy to support the Island’s electricity needs.”
Television personalities Doug McConnell and Jan Yanehiro will host the festivities, as Angel Lights sponsors and donors celebrate the past and help shape the future of the Park. While enjoying hors d’oeuvres and wine, supporters will have the opportunity to bid on special auction items, including once-in-a-lifetime experiences on Angel Island.
AIA is proud to be associated with Angel Island and is dedicated to doing everything possible to keep Angel Island State Park alive and well. For more information about the Angel Lights Benefit, call (415) 435-3972 or email aia@angelisland.org. We look forward to seeing you on December 3rd!
