Coastside Opportunity Center introduces new executive director at Friday fundraiser

The Coastside Opportunity Center threw a big party with a serious purpose on Friday night. The fundraising event, at I.D.E.S. Hall in Half Moon Bay, also marked the public introduction of the Center’s new executive director, Cheri Parr.

The identity of the executive director was kept a secret until her Friday night debut.

Cheri, the wife of Coastsider publisher Barry Parr, is known to Coastsider readers for several stories, and literally thousands of photographs, that she has contributed to the site.  We met lots of people at the event who told us they knew Cheri from when she took their pictures at one of the many Coastside events we covered this year.

Before joining the COC, Cheri was a publishing executive with technology magazines such as MacUser, CIO and Information Week. She’s a volunteer (and photographer) for the AIDS charity Academy of Friends, as well as a board member and treasurer in her church.

The event, titled "The Other Coastside" brought out a lot more people than anyone expected. Nearly fifty more people than the 300 confirmed reservations showed up. Casey Sample, COC VP and owner of Casey’s Cafe in Half Moon Bay, catered the party. The COC’s first formal fundraiser was created and executed by Tricia Dell, a professional fundraiser from El Granada.

After her announcement, Cheri introduced Farmer John Muller, who ended the event with good humor and a little arm-twisting.

Interim Executive Director Eileen Hansen said, "We hoped to bring together the diversity of the Coastside community—those who are comfortable and those who are struggling; the various political factions; representatives of community-based organizations and small businesses; clients, staff, volunteers and Board Members of the COC; and those who wanted to learn about and support our work."

Cheri’s hiring marks the end of Hansen’s tenure as Interim Director. She stepped in to manage the transition after Graydon Simser, who had been Executive Director and CFO for 20 years, retired in May, 2004.

The final tally of donations will be released Tuesday. Anyone who would like to make a contribution to the Coastside Opportunity Center should call Cheri Parr at 650.726.9071 or send an email to [email protected]

COC is actively looking for donations and volunteers for its Christmas Adopt-a-Family program, which last year provided gifts and assistance to over 300 seniors and families. For more information, call Judy O’Leary at 563-9910.