Romance of the Mission Benefit Gala

San Juan Capistrano, Calif. (July 8, 2015) – Mission San Juan Capistrano’s 2015 Romance of the Mission benefit gala will be held on Friday, September 18 on the grounds of the historic San Juan landmark. Longtime supporters Wylie and Bette Aitkin are the 2015 honorees and the live concert performance in the ruins of the Great Stone Church is entitled “That’s Life!,” a tribute to Frank Sinatra on his 100th birthday. The upcoming canonization of the Mission’s founder, Blessed Junipero Serra will be acknowledged and celebrated during the evening.

Proceeds from the 2015 benefit gala will be directed toward the third and final phase of the Sala Preservation Project, an ongoing renewal effort of the Mission’s 18th century building to include the museum room build-out.

Wylie Aitkin was initially invited to serve on the board by Tony Moiso and the late Robert McDonough over a decade ago. During his tenure, the board oversaw significant conservation projects including the stabilization of the Great Stone Church ruins, conservation of the Serra Chapel, new interpretation and upgrades in the South and West Wing museum rooms, and The Gate House and Sala Preservation Projects.

Widely known for their extensive philanthropic involvement in Orange County, Bette and Wylie recently marked their 50th wedding anniversary by renewing their vows in the historic Serra Chapel. The couple has three children (Darren and Chris and daughter Ashleigh) and all three practice with their father at Santa Ana-based Aitken, Aitken & Cohn in addition to son-in-law Richard Cohn.

“Bette and I are truly honored and humbled to be the 2015 Romance of the Mission honorees. In the year of Father Serra’s canonization, it causes reflection on how this iconic Mission has truly become “the jewel” which has positively touched so many lives,” said the couple upon accepting the recognition.

This year’s benefit gala concert features award-winning New York vocalists Scott Coulter, Lee Lessack, and John Boswell with their performance entitled, ‘That’s Life!, A Toast to Sinatra’ paying homage to Frank Sinatra during what would have been his 100th birthday year.

Concert artist Lee Lessack said, “We are thrilled to be performing at this most glorious and historic site to celebrate one of the greatest entertainers of our time.”

Historic bell ringing will celebrate the upcoming canonization of the Mission’s founder, Blessed Junipero Serra after the concert followed by a candlelight four-course plated dinner hosted by long-time Mission supporter, The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel.

Mission San Juan Capistrano is located at 26801 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675. For tickets, underwriting opportunities or more information about the benefit gala contact Barb Beier at 949.234.1323 or visit www.missionsjc.com.

About Mission San Juan Capistrano

Known as the “Jewel of the Missions,” Mission San Juan Capistrano is a historic landmark and museum that boasts of quality permanent exhibits featuring original artifacts as well as traveling and temporary exhibits on a wide variety of topics.

The Mission is also Orange County’s only Mission and is a site of ongoing faith, education, preservation, and cultural event programming. The site includes such original buildings as the Serra Chapel, Great Stone Church, and the original padres’ quarters of the South Wing.

The Mission was founded on November 1, 1776 by Padre Junipero Serra as the seventh in the chain of the twenty-one California missions established by Spain. Over 70,000 fourth grade students visit the Mission as part of their field trip learning about Early California history.

Mission San Juan Capistrano is owned by the Diocese of Orange. Its fundraising entity, the Mission Preservation Foundation, is comprised of business and community leaders committed to ensuring the long term preservation and viability of Orange County’s only Mission. The Mission receives no funding from either the Church or the State of California and must charge admission funds as a means of providing continued public access.

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