Hagar & Friends Rock the Sweetwater, Raise More Than $26K for Kiddo's Endowment for the Arts

Sammy and Kari Hagar, at center, along with El Paseo GM Cassie Corless, at far right, present Kiddo officials with a check from the Hagar Family Foundation for $26,509 to the Kiddo Endowment for the Arts. Courtesy image.

In what has become a Mill Valley tradition, longtime local resident and renowned Red Rocker Sammy Hagar gathered friends and family for a rollicking set of live music at the Sweetwater Music Hall to benefit the Kiddo! Endowment for the Arts.

The two-hour event, hosted in part by the Hagar Family Foundation and Hagar’s El Paseo Restaurant raised $26,509 for the fund, which Kiddo! created the fund in 1986, four years after the organization's debut, to provide "a perpetual source of secure funding for Kiddo! programs. The fund has grown since then to its current value of approximately $5 million. Since the fund’s creation, proceeds have been used to fund ongoing programs and seed promising new initiatives. Income from the Endowment currently funds approximately 7 percent of Kiddo!’s annual program expenses," according to Kiddo's website.

Hagar and guitar master Vic Johnson led the performance, which was a family affair, as it also included stage appearances from Hagar’s wife Kari, as well as performances by his sons Aaron Hagar and Andrew Hagar (aka Drew Hagus). The event raised several thousand dollars more than 2016’s debut of the benefit show.

"Our children were educated in the Mill Valley School District,” Hagar says. “Kari and I are so grateful for the broad arts education 

​they received thanks to funds raised by Kiddo!. We are thrilled to be able to support the Kiddo! Endowment, and help ensure that all of the children of Mill Valley have the same benefits for years to come.”

VIP donors funded and enjoyed a pre-show dinner in El Paseo’s Sunnyside room featuring inspired cuisine from new Chef Todd Shoberg.

“What an incredible night!,” says Kiddo! Executive Director Bill Lampl. “Not only was this an exciting event for the community, but I’m thrilled that the Hagars, El Paseo, and all of the folks who came out for the show tonight, are helping us grow the endowment.”

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