“My father says that almost the whole world is asleep. Everybody you know, everybody you see, everybody you talk to. He says that only a few people are aware and they live in a state of constant total amazement.”
– Patricia Graynamore
Patrons of the Prado is an all-volunteer organization that raises unrestricted funds for nine beneficiary museums, centers, and theaters on the Prado in Balboa Park. Patrons of the Prado also raises money for programs that provide educational access for San Diego County, K-12 school children to the world class treasures of Balboa Park. Debbie Rider is the 2026 Masterpiece Gala Co-Chair for Patrons of the Prado.
#1 I grew up in Northern California on Shasta Lake in Redding, California.
#2 In May, my three children all graduated from college within 24 hours of one another at three different colleges and universities in Los Angeles (USC), San Marcos (Cal State) and Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania. Thank goodness for red-eye flights.
#3 I would love to visit Croatia and the surrounding countryside, including Montenegro, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina – finishing up in one of my favorite countries – Italy.
#4 It is on my bucket list to visit every National Park in the United States and the Seven Wonders of the World.
#5 I look forward to reading and belong to two Book Clubs. I also enjoy walking and riding bikes.
#6 My father raised Labrador Retrievers. I grew up with dogs, including my favorites, Blinkey, Sport, and Rascal. However, when my twins asked for a kitten on their fifth birthday, we became a cat family. Our orange family cat is Moxie.
#7 My father never missed an opportunity to help a neighbor. He was a hardworking man who loved his family, and he set a beautiful example for us all to aspire.
#8 My children grew up in Balboa Park, learning an appreciation for science, the environment, plays, trains, history and the majesty of the park itself. I am motivated to return the gifts the park has given to my family and to my friends.
#9 Over the past 29 years, Patrons has proudly raised more than $6.6 million, including over $1.4 million for our Bucks4Buses program, our initiative providing transportation and educational access for San Diego’s K-12 school children.
#10 100% of the net proceeds from our Gala, will be donated to: Fleet Science Center, Mingei International Museum, Museum of Us, San Diego History Center, San Diego Junior Theatre, San Diego Museum of Art, San Diego Natural History Museum, The Old Globe, Timken Museum of Art and Bucks4Buses.
Patrons of the Prado
CLUB MASTERPIECE – One Haute Havana Night
Saturday, August 1, 2026
Spreckels Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park
www.patronsoftheprado.org
