BEYOND DIFFERENCES RAISES FUNDS ’80S STYLE

Bridge to Belonging, a benefit for Beyond Differences held on May 4 at Sweetwater Music Hall in Mill Valley, took guests back to the 1980s with splashes of neon decor, festive signature cocktails and guests decked out in their finest leg warmers, hot pink and green tops, ’80s rock apparel, sequins and Miami Vice attire. The event raised over $500,000 to help fund the nonprofit’s mission to end social isolation in schools and build a culture of belonging by providing free programs and materials to teachers. Laura Talmus, the co-founder and executive director, kicked off the event with a story about the mission and organization’s growth over the last 14 years. The organization honored founding board member Jacqueline Neuwirth Swire of Ross, who has been an integral part of the nonprofit’s growth. For more information, visit beyonddifferences.org.