Bonnie Carroll's Life Bites

RONA BARRETT HONORED WITH INAUGURAL HEARTS & HOPE AWARD BY ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION

Rona Barrett Recipient of "Hearts & Hope" Azheimer's Association 2025 Inagural Award

It was such a privilege to be among the invited guests to see Rona Barrett, renowned Hollywood reporter and radio/TV personality,

honored with the inaugural Hearts & Hope Award at the exquisite Hope Ranch Bidwell Estate Garden Soiree on May 16^th presented by Alzheimer’s Association California Central Coast Chapter for her extraordinary dedication and tireless efforts in supporting the senior community throughout Santa Barbara County,

The guest list included not only Alzheimer’s Association supporters, but also many special friends and associates of Rona Barrett, who looked adorable in a smart casual black and white designer afternoon suit topped with a stunning red hat. I first met Rona at an event in Hollywood years ago, and then later I was invited to her ranch in Santa Ynez to interview her on a new line of lavender products she was producing from the gorgeous lavender fields on her property.

My interview with Rona, over twenty-some years ago, has become

a wonderful ‘back to the future’ flash for me, where Rona shared her dream of creating a specialty living community for seniors-in-need in the local area based, based on her own experience taking care of her father Harry, who suffered from Alzheimer’s and was at that time still alive. This week to have been present at the Alzheimer’s Association award ceremony and see her honored not only for the fruition of her own personal dream, but for the outstanding and remarkable job she has done in the County of Santa Barbara providing seniors with living assistance at Golden Inn & Village in Santa Ynez Valley, as well as the newly opened Harry’s House providing a home and care for senior men in need in our community.

Rona Barrett with Tony Morris, Executive Director of Rona Barrett Foundation

Rona built a Hollywood mini gossip empire that included syndicated columns, three magazines, radio and TV appearances on Good Morning America, a best-selling book MS RONA 1974 memoir and more. She left it all many years ago to move to the Santa Barbara to begin a journey that would help her realize her long-time dream of creating senior living communities for those in need.

Bo Derek and husband John Corbett shared the podium to present

the award, and Bo shared how amazed she was that there was a time in past years she would run and hide from reporter Rona Barrett, and today she can hardly believe they are neighbors and great friends. Bo Derek also shared how grateful she was that Rona had helped her find assistance for her own father in his later years.

A beautiful video of thanks, coordinated by Committee Co-Chairs Tony Morriss, Cathy Cash and Brenda Blalock, was shown to guests where Rona Barrett shared her story on the challenges of caring for her own father who suffered from Alzheimer’s, and the joy and love she has experienced creating living communities for seniors in the County of Santa Barbara. She gave heartwarming thanks to everyone for being honored by Alzheimer’s Association and received a standing ovation from attending guests, volunteers and dear friends.

Kudos to the Alzheimer’s Association community board members , Jill R. Fonte Community Board Chair, Don R. Logan, Vice Chair, Dr. Richard

Beswich, Cathy Cash, Clarice Couey, Nephtali Galicia, Gary Gross, Shauna McGee, Tony Morris, Sal Penta, Rosalyn Riviera and an army of volunteers who made it all so lovely, as well as the generous host and hostess of the estate.

The silent auction was extremely well received and featured some wish list items, but the paddle auction was completely alive! Everyone attending was wishing to assist and support the Alzheimer’s Association vision “Together we can

end Alzheimer’s Disease” and guests were extremely generous with donations and were invited to take home the donated flowers and orchids by Por La Mar Nursery and Westerlay Orchids. Each guest also was given a sweet gift from Rona Barrett, a tiny gift bag remembrance containing lavender products as a keepsake of their memorable afternoon at the Alzheimer’s Association soiree.

Rona Barrett Foundation Mission: The Rona Barrett Foundation is a non-profit organization providing affordable housing and supportive services for seniors-in-need. We do this by developing, expanding, and continuing operation of care homes such as the Golden Inn & Village and Harry’s House in Santa Ynez, California. Resident benefit from a wide range of essential care services. With dignity, respect and love, the Rona Barrett Foundation presents residents with a broad variety of programs that meet their needs and enhance their lives. For information visit info@RonaBarrettFoundation.org.

Alzheimer’s Association: The Alzheimer’s Association California Central Coast Chapter provides free education programs, support services and care consultations across Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Ventura Counties while also supporting critical research toward a cure. For information visit: Http://www.alz.org.

Independent Living

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