“People who love to eat are always the best people”.
– Julia Child
Las Patronas is a volunteer organization committed to improving quality of life across San Diego County by funding critical, capital needs for local nonprofit organizations and to continue this tradition of service and giving. Through thoughtful grant-making, Las Patronas supports causes across health, education, youth, cultural arts, animal welfare, scientific research, first responders, and social services. Founded in 1946, Las Patronas has awarded more than $28 million in grants to over one thousand charitable institutions. This year marks the 80th Anniversary of Las Patronas. Celia Cravatt is a second-year active member of Las Patronas working on Sponsorship, Donations, Warehouse and Social Committees.
#1 I grew up in Southeast San Diego and graduated from Samuel F.B. Morse High School. While in high school I was an active volunteer for a number of causes and saw the good that came from it. Giving back to my community is my way of paying it forward and helping people like me gain access to programs and opportunities that would otherwise be inaccessible.
#2 Maui, Hawaii is my favorite travel destination. I would like to visit Greece.
#3 Gardening is my favorite past-time.
#4 I love the OfferUp app!!
#5 Writing and publishing a novel is on my bucket list.
#6 We have 3 Dogs: Brownie, Mochi and Potato.
#7 My husband and best friend, Ben Cravatt, taught me to pick my battles and not sweat the small stuff.
#8 I became involved with Las Patronas because several of my good friends are active and past members. It was a great opportunity to reconnect with talented, like-minded, service-oriented women who are committed to help improve the lives of our San Diego neighbors.
#9 Las Patronas members serve a term of six to seven years and hold two to three organizational positions each year, ensuring our long-standing success as an organization. In addition, all members work with the Grants Committee, bi-annually, making on-site visits to each eligible nonprofit organization that applies for a grant. As a group, we thoroughly assess and vet each organization’s request, present our findings to our peers, select our major and minor grant recipients, and distribute available funding.
#10 The fourteen members who founded Las Patronas in 1946, contributed handmade decorations to the first Jewel Ball. Today, the active members of Las Patronas proudly carry on the tradition of our founding members by building the design elements by hand and transporting them, piece by piece, to the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club to create one of San Diego’s most unique and best fetes.
Las Patronas
“80th Annual Jewel Ball – Festa Di Venezia”
Saturday August 8, 2026
La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club
2000 Spindrift
www.laspatronas.org/jewel-ball
