The Children’s Foundation announced Patricia Guernsey as its 2024 Guardian Angel.
Guernsey is a real estate agent who sits on numerous volunteer boards and is credited for being a philanthropic leader in the community.
Executive Director of The Children’s Foundation, Melanie Cressman, spoke on how Guernsey has contributed to the organization in the past.
“She sat on our board of directors for many years. She was absolutely pivotal in elevating the profile of the Children’s Foundation’s Guardian Angel Gala, in terms of the amount of revenue that it produces. She was also instrumental in elevating the golf tournament as well,” Cressman tells Quinte News.
“She’s just been such a strong supporter of our organization for years and this this was long overdue.”
Guernsey received a total of seven nominations and was unanimously selected to be the 2024 Guardian Angel.
2024 Guardian Angel Patricia Guernsey greeted by The Children Foundation’s Melanie Cressman and Cassandra Bonn. June 14, 2023. (Photo: Zach McGibbon/Quinte News)
She says her selection came as a total surprise.
“They really ambushed me at lunch one day and I did not expect it at all,” Guernsey tells Quinte News.
“I felt like I didn’t react the way I was supposed to but it was only because I took such pause but really I’m so grateful. I’m so grateful. I don’t even know where to start.”
Also announced was the theme for the Guardian Angel Gala event which will be an “Opulent Noir” theme.
Cressman says they wanted the theme to reflect Guernsey’s contributions to the community.
“(Guernsey) started reflecting on some of her time with the Children’s Foundation from Guardian Angel galas that she was involved in chairing and one of the first ones that she ever did had a black and white theme and that’s really resonated with her,” Cressman said.
“It’s something she always said she used to say to herself that ‘oh, if I ever had a gala, I would want it to have a black and white theme.”
More information about the event, scheduled for March 2, 2024, can be found at The Children Foundation’s website.
The Children Foundation’s Cassandra Bonn announcing the theme for the 2024 Guardian Angel Gala. June 14, 2023. (Photo: Zach McGibbon/Quinte News)
