Press Releases
San Clemente, CA – San Clemente-based company Rainbow Sandals has made a major gift to support Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens, a southern California nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide art, music, history, horticulture, and literature to people of all ages. The $50,000.00 gift, made on Christmas Eve 2020, comes at a crucial point in Casa Romantica’s Year-End Fundraiser, enabling the organization to more than meet its goal for the critical operating funds it needs to fulfill its mission for thousands of locals and visitors in the New Year.
“With COVID-19 restrictions not allowing in-person fundraising events, nonprofit organizations have struggled to raise the funds necessary to keep them in operation next year,” says Rainbow Sandals Founder and President Jay Longley. “I decided it was Rainbow Sandals’ responsibility to help these wonderful organizations like Casa Romantica and others in our community the best we can.”
Rainbow Sandals’ ongoing philanthropy toward Casa Romantica has shined a light on the cultural center’s public programs for over a decade as past program underwriters and annual sponsors of Toast to the Casa, Casa Romantica’s annual fundraiser gala.
“We are overwhelmed with gratitude for Rainbow Sandals’ generosity,” says Amy Behrens, Executive Director of Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens. “Despite a very challenging year for our nonprofit, their support has opened up new opportunities for Casa Romantica’s mission to expand beyond place. We’ve remained strong, finding new ways to make arts and education even more accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds wherever they are.”
Rainbow Sandals, founded by Jay “Sparky” Longley in 1974, is a San Clemente-based company that has become famous for their durable, comfortable flip-flop sandals, beloved by surfers and by men, women and children all over the world. Rainbow Sandals Foundation was created in 2014 to improve and enhance the lives of people in need.
The major gift comes on the heels of a $10,000 gift made in October 2020 by Be Happy Living, a foundation led by Jay’s wife Chanya Longley. Be Happy Living and Rainbow Sandals Foundation work together feeding the homeless, and helping people in need weekly throughout the year.
“This is truly beautiful news as we come to year’s end,” says Casa Romantica Board President Ruth DeNault. “Jay ‘Sparky’ Longley is a legend and a true friend whom we owe our deep gratitude, because this good news will greatly change our financial picture.”
Casa Romantica intends to use the gift toward its 2021 season of arts and cultural programs, including both virtual and onsite events and exhibitions, as well as to expand its offerings of virtual tours and educational activities for K-12 students and assisted living centers. The gift also helps sustain the nonprofit’s ongoing expenses to maintain the Ole Hanson estate and public gardens, the nationally-registered historic landmark and home of the City of San Clemente’s founder that the organization is housed in.
About Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens
Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens maintains a robust series of year-round programs in arts, music, history, horticulture, and literature for all ages. Casa Romantica has commissioned several critically-acclaimed works, including Casa Classic: La Serva Padrona (2020; classical music), Casa Coastal: Murals of Levi Ponce (2019; visual art), Casa Theater: The Odd-Essy (2019; theater), Casa Kinetic: Culture Shock LA Hip Hop (2019; dance); Casa Coastal: The Art of Baja California (2018; visual art), Casa Theater: A Midsummer Night’s Dream (2018; theater), Casa Kinetic: Celebrating Tap Dance Legends (2018; dance), Casa Coastal: Rebecca Louise Law (2017; visual art), Casa Kinetic: Contemporary Dance Collective (2017; contemporary dance), The Beauty of the Butterfly (2017; visual art), Casa Kinetic: Carrie Lee Riggins (2016; contemporary dance), Casa Drama: Slings & Arrows (2015; theater), and Open Casa: The Photographs of Douglas Kirkland (2015; visual art). The 2020-21 Casa Captivating season includes an expanded dance (Casa Kinetic), theater (Casa Theater), and concert series (Casa Vibes), visual and performing arts commissions, and an expanded Casa Kids education program.
Casa Romantica also hosts a variety of free arts education programs for children year-round. The institution’s annual Casa Romantica Music Festival and Academy has received critical praise for its comprehensive two-week music studies program in cello, piano, viola, and violin. Casa Romantica also offers a Summer Dance Workshop, a Spring Break Arts Week, various art, literature, and horticulture events to grades K-12, and welcomes over 6,000 children from the Capistrano Unified School District each year for STEAM-based field trips that examine the history of San Clemente and the coastal environment.
Mission Statement: Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization and is the historic home of the founder of the City of San Clemente. Casa Romantica provides programs for all ages in arts, music, history, and horticulture and is a premier Southern California cultural center.
Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens is located at 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente, CA 92672. Hours: Tuesday—Thursday 10 AM—4 PM; Friday—Sunday 10 AM — 2 PM; closed Mondays and holidays. General admission is $5; Casa Members, active duty military with ID, and children under age 13 visit for FREE. For more information, call (949) 498-2139 or visit CasaRomantica.org
