Do-Gooders raises over $4,000 for Fort Bragg Food Bank
A group of more than 50 women who love their communities gathered Monday, Jan. 13, for the Do-Gooders Luncheon, an annual fundraiser for the Fort Bragg Food Bank.
In a delightful tradition spanning more than 30 years, the Do-Gooders in partnership with the Little River Inn raised over $4,000 this year for the Food Bank.
After enjoying a delicious lunch, Do-Gooder Maureen Epp- stein introduced Kirk Lumpkin. A Mendocino County resident, Kirk is an author, poet, lyricist, singer, performance artist and environmental activist.
We were all curious when Kirk dragged a box containing a bird suit towards the stage. He took on the persona of a Steller’s jay, performing a rap song/poem as MC Steller and made the performance interactive by having the audience make bird sounds during the chorus. It was both fun and educational.
Do-Gooder history
The tradition of an annual DoGooder Luncheon began anywhere from 33 to 38 years ago; I wasn’t able to pin down the “exact” date. After a private holiday luncheon, four local women decided to pass a bread basket for donations for the less fortunate. When there wasn’t enough in the first pass, it went around again.
Every year since then, a luncheon has been planned and donations collected to help feed the hungry in our community.
These founding members were Mildred Benioff, Elinor Hayes, Helen Herbert and Liz Irwin; driving forces of much of what happened on the Mendocino Coast for many years.
The current organizers are Becky Bowen, photographer, Pat Dunbar, money manager, Ginny Rorby, entertainment, and Mary Willoughby, database and invitations.
The Do-Gooders are made up of women from up and down the coast. All of the women who are invited to the luncheon are involved in their communities, doing what they can to improve the lives of other coastal residents. They don’t advertise what they’ve been doing all these years. It’s a holiday tradition for old and new friends alike to gather in a magical setting, and exhibit the true meaning of the season.
One year there was a prolonged power failure and the luncheon had to be canceled after everyone had paid for their attendance. Everyone was notified of the cancellation and offered their money back; however, no one asked. Many Do-Gooders send in their ticket price, even if they can’t attend, and many donate more than the asking price, too.
These may be quiet benefactors, but the luncheon itself is anything but quiet. It’s rather
hard to hear with all the chatting going on. But no one really minds as it’s all for a good cause, the Fort Bragg Food Bank.
Little River Inn
Each year the Little River Inn contributes the food and setting to make the annual Do-Gooder Luncheon a true community act of giving, Executive
Chef Marc Dym prepared the recent luncheon. Little River Inn’s servers donate their time.
Founding members
Mildred Benioff moved here in 1964. She started the local chapter of the League of Women Voters, was a founder of the Hospital Foundation, member of the Grand Jury, and the Redwood Coast Senior Center director. In 1969, she was instrumental in getting the Mendocino Headlands designated as a state park.
That effort was the foundation of the historical preservation political structure of Mendocino Village.
Elinor Hayes moved to Little River in 1973 after retiring from writing for the Oakland Tribune. In retirement, she wrote a column of gossip and humor, “That’s Life,” in The Mendocino Beacon.
Helen Herbert moved to Mendocino in 1988. She was the past president of the Mendocino Community Library Board, the Mendocino Study Club, the
League of Women Voters and served two terms on the Mendocino Historical Review Board.
Liz Irwin moved to Little River in 1972. She was the director of the Redwood Coast Senior Center for eight years, a founding member of Mendocino Coast Clinics, author and longtime Mendocino Beacon columnist.
Although these wonderful women are no longer with us, their “Do-Gooder” spirit remains with us always.