Tour opens doors to 14 historic homes Tour opens doors to 14 historic homes (April 16, 2004)

Fundraiser to benefit Hope Hospice
by Dolores Fox Ciardelli

The Historic Homes Stroll being given by the Friends of Pleasanton Heritage on May 1 will benefit Hope Hospice instead of the Museum On Main Street, as reported earlier.

The Friends first wanted to give proceeds to the museum. "A couple of us started talking, and I said I'm on the museum board and they can use the money," recalled organizer Rebecca Bruner. When the museum board expressed concern about the insurance, the Friends again put their heads together and chose Hope Hospice.

"We thought Hope Hospice touches so many lives in so many ways," said Bruner, noting that a hospice group was invaluable during the last three months of her sister's life. "It has hit - or will at some time hit - everyone in Pleasanton."

Joanie Fields, president of the museum board, said the group had wanted to use the museum's insurance. "We were advised not to do it," said Fields. "I talked to Rebecca Bruner and told her we would understand if they chose to give it to someone else."

She explained that the museum was not sponsoring the tour, it was just to have been recipient of the proceeds. "We wish them well," she said. "What a great way to see some of the wonderful homes that are around."

Tickets for the tour went on sale this week at the Hope Hospice Shoppe, 400 Main St. The price of $20 includes touring 14 homes in the historic neighborhoods of downtown Pleasanton; a brochure with a map and the history of each home; and a ticket to redeem at Crema d'Italia, 780 Main St., for coffee, soda or gelato.

"We hope people will spend a leisurely afternoon touring the homes and learning their stories, which we think are fascinating," said Bruner. "When they wish to rest for a few minutes, they may redeem their ticket stubs at our refreshment stop."

The group is printing 1,000 tickets, said Bruner, with the potential of gross sales of $20,000. Expenses include a public relations firm and $600 for insurance. Angela Aloise of RPM Mortgage is paying for the brochures and tickets.

Tickets to the event, noon-4 p.m., Saturday, May 1, also will be sold that day at 4725 First St. If organizers run out of the printed tickets, Bruner said they will come up with some type of substitute so no one will be turned away.

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