They’re known affectionately as “the basket ladies”—a title Claudia Lash and Pat Lupo have earned through fifteen years of creating legendary silent auction baskets for St. Vincent’s Fashion Show & Luncheon. But their story runs much deeper than beautifully curated gift baskets. It’s about two women whose tireless commitment has transformed what giving looks like in Santa Barbara.

Fifteen years ago, Claudia and Pat gathered some Santa Barbara friends together in a modest room on St. Vincent’s campus for a simple afternoon supporting the county’s most vulnerable mothers and children. That modest luncheon has grown into a signature event at Rosewood Miramar Beach that has raised more than $500,000 for the Family Strengthening Program—the region’s only 27-month supportive housing program for single mothers with children.

A Legacy 400 Years in the Making

Pat and Claudia are members of the Ladies of Charity, one of the oldest Catholic laywomen’s organizations in the world. Founded by St. Vincent de Paul in 1617 in a small French village, it began as a revolutionary idea: everyday women—wives, mothers, daughters—organizing themselves systematically to serve the poor.

At a time when religious sisters lived cloistered lives, St. Vincent recognized that caring for the hungry, the sick, and the abandoned required the hands and hearts of laywomen who could move freely through their communities. The Ladies of Charity became one of the first organized lay groups dedicated to charitable works, providing food, medical care, clothing, and encouragement to those in need.

Their mission remains unchanged: “To serve rather than be served, in humility, simplicity, and charity.” Pat and Claudia have embodied that mission for decades.

The Art of the Basket

Their legendary silent auction baskets have become a beloved tradition guests anticipate year after year. These aren’t just gift baskets, they’re works of art, each one thoughtfully designed over months of preparation.

A wine country getaway basket might include reservations at a boutique inn, vineyard tour passes, artisan cheeses, and locally crafted glassware. A family adventure basket could feature museum memberships, beach gear, and gift certificates to favorite Santa Barbara restaurants. Every item is carefully selected, every detail considered.

The baskets represent the belief that those who serve the poor deserve beauty, excellence, and joy in their fundraising—not just efficiency.

From Humble Beginnings to Oceanfront Elegance

The Fashion Show’s evolution mirrors the community’s deepening commitment to supporting at-risk families. What started in a simple campus room and moved to a high school gym has grown into an afternoon of fashion, purpose, and celebration at one of Santa Barbara’s most elegant venues. Each year features fresh collections from local boutiques, gourmet cuisine, and beloved emcees KEYT’s Tracy Lehr and Drew “Mr. Santa Barbara” Wakefield.

The Impact: Lives Transformed

Those dollars translate directly into transformed lives. The Family Strengthening Program provides comprehensive support—job training, childcare, therapy, parenting classes, and case management. In the past four years alone, 52 families have graduated to permanent housing and employment.

“Claudia and Pat embody the spirit of St. Vincent de Paul and the Daughters of Charity,” says CEO Rosa Paredes. “Their vision created an event that doesn’t just raise funds, it builds community around our shared belief that every mother and child deserves safety and opportunity.”

Continuing the Tradition

Every November, the Fashion Show brings together Santa Barbara’s generous hearts. Pat and Claudia demonstrate what St. Vincent de Paul recognized 400 years ago: that ordinary people doing extraordinary work can change the world.

They’ve raised over half a million dollars. They’ve created a beloved community tradition. And they’ve shown what it means to serve rather than be served—in humility, simplicity, and charity.

That’s the legacy of the basket ladies.

© Joanne A Calitri