San Diego Union-Tribune (Sunday)
Auxiliary disbands, but legacy lives on
Brother Benno’s, an Oceanside nonprofit that helps the area’s working poor and homeless, is discontinuing its auxiliary. But the work of the auxiliary as a fundraising and volunteer arm of the nonprofit continues under the guidance of the Brother Benno Foundation.
The auxiliary formed in January 1996, spearheaded by volunteer coordinator Dixie Bales, 13 years after the nonprofit opened as a soup kitchen started by the late Harold and Kay Kutler and inspired by a Benedictine monk from the Prince of Peace Abbey, Brother Benno Garrity.
Over the years, the nonprofit grew, providing not only a warm meal, but also offering shelter, clothing and other services with the help of volunteers along with running a 12step recovery program and seven recovery houses in the Oceanside area to help folks overcome addictions and find jobs.
Auxiliary members organized various fundraising events to help support the programs, such as an annual fashion show luncheon and golf tournament.
“Our Fashion Show was quite the social event in Oceanside each year,” said longtime auxiliary member Helen Parsons, who serves on the foundation’s board. The event, which was held at Camp Pendleton for years, drew hundreds of attendees and would sell out months ahead. The first time Parsons volunteered, she was asked to help Kay Kutler, who was holding up the show giving guests hugs at the entrance, as she was known to do at the soup kitchen. But instead, each attendee got two hugs and the show started late.
Members also volunteered in the Breakfast Club (a morning serving team), Brother Benno Thrift Shop, Postal Carriers Food Drive, Knitting Group and Layette Group along with the auxiliary’s Cookie Booth at the annual Carlsbad Village Street Faire and Children’s Christmas Party.
The Brother Benno Foundation also grew, expanding its volunteer and fundraising event outreach, which recently started to duplicate some of the auxiliary’s primary functions.
When COVID-19 hit and auxiliary meetings moved online, fewer people attended and volunteers from the community went directly to the foundation’s volunteer coordinator.
“The auxiliary was no longer needed, so it was decided to disband,” said Nita Rodriguez, longtime auxiliary member and past president. “Our work as an auxiliary is completed.”
“Its legacy will live on through the fourth annual Pay It Forward charity golf tournament and the annual gift card drive for the Children’s Christmas party,” said Kathleen Diehlmann, president of the foundation’s board.
Brother Benno’s last auxiliary president, Joyce Cerimele, and vice president, Doris Nyman, presented a final check to the foundation for $40,602 on Feb. 7 from the third annual golf tournament and other fundraising efforts last year.
“The Brother Benno Foundation is grateful to the auxiliary members past and present for their dedication and support,” Diehlmann said.
To volunteer at Brother Benno’s, email volunteer coordinator Renee Stepp at volunteersatbb@gmail.com or call (760) 231-1613.