“We don’t kiss until it gets to double digits.”
That was Sharon Stone’s playful taunt to eager auction-goers at the recent Hotbed Benefit in Tiburon to raise their bids. And it worked!
Few know how to work a benefit crowd as well as Stone, and she pulled out all the stops in getting guests to put down their champagne, raise their paddles and write some checks in support of 10,000 Degrees, a nonprofit organization that helps under-privileged youth get into college.
The annual event is one of the highlights of the Summer social season in the Bay Area, and this year, with Stone co-hosting with Joe Jonas, it was the most exciting, in a setting of breathtaking beauty along the San Francisco Bay. The auction was followed by an elegant fashion show of a custom Enchanted Garden themed collection by T. Rains.
Stone’s presentation was the first time that we’ve seen an auction that was actually a lot of fun, with the actress peppering the presentation with cheeky observations, ranging from President Obama’s ambitions for his last term, to her appreciation of Pope Francis (“He’s the best dressed Pope. All white! He’s the chicest Pope.”)
Stone’s act paid off big — we’re told the event raised more than double last year’s amount, totaling over $280,000.
And yes, at least one lucky bidder got his kiss.
Nicole Needham, Robert Krohn
Shanena Gunn, Justin Fichelson, Lisa Alexander and Ryan Biggs
Bahya Murad, Ted Hannig
Nelson Hee, Angella Sprauve, Emillio Mesa
More information about 10,000 Degrees is available at hotbedbenefit.com