Mayor and newlywed wife get gift cards for Christmas
By: Brent Begin
Examiner Staff Writer
December 24, 2008
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| Mayor Gavin Newsom (middle) and his wife Jennifer Siebel Newsom (second from right) held a holiday cocktail party fundraiser for the Hamilton Family Center. (Examiner file photo) |
SAN FRANCISCO — The newlywed mayor and his wife rang in the yuletide Monday night at a holiday cocktail party at their Russian Hill apartment — although gifts weren’t allowed.
For the “small gathering of our nearest and dearest friends,” Jennifer Siebel Newsom asked everyone to bring $25 gift cards for homeless teens living in housing provided by the nonprofit Hamilton Family Center.
Siebel Newsom, an actress, director and producer who married Mayor Gavin Newsom in July, said she was “deeply touched by the quality of the programs they are offering the disadvantaged youth of San Francisco” in the invitation.
And with the tough economic times, the Newsoms also gave up some party luxuries. “Parking available on the street — sorry, no valet,” the invitation said.
So, how many gift cards did the guests, which included former Mayor Willie Brown, bring to the party? Hamilton Family Center Executive Assistant Jack Fagan said the nonprofit isn’t keeping count.
During the holidays, the nonprofit collects donations of dolls, stuffed animals and other toys for young children. The gift cards usually make good gifts for homeless adolescents and teens.
“Small donations, like teddy bears, are usually done anonymously,” Fagan said, adding that $25 gift cards are treated the same.
Siebel Newsom recently filmed a public-service announcement that will run soon on cable access Channel 29, and the nonprofit is happy to have her affluence behind the nonprofit.
As for the rest of the holiday season, the couple is sharing time between the Newsom clan and the Siebels, according to mayoral spokesman Nathan Ballard.
Newsom’s father, Bill Newsom, is hosting a get-together at his Dutch Flat home in Placer County, while a separate gathering will be held with Siebel Newsom’s parents.
A gathering of both families could have made for some interesting dinner conversation. The Newsom clan has strong ties to the Democratic Party, while some in the Siebel family have made their own contributions to Republicans.
