Benefits

Bay NatureSierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune is the featured speaker at this Awards Dinner celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Wilderness Act and also honoring the work of environmental educator Liam O'Brien, conservationist Craig Anderson and John Muir National Historial Site Youth Assistant Cheyanna Washburn. 6 p.m. March 23.

Mission Dolores AcademyThe Tops Chef Benefit Luncheon features a meal created by Charles Phan, Craig Stoll, Laurence Jossel, Mourad Lahlou and others in support of this independent K-8 Catholic school for inner-city youths. 11:30 a.m. April 2.

American Red CrossThe Family Stone headlines at this gala which features a cocktail reception, auction and awards dinner honoring the work of CSAA Insurance Group CEP Paula Downey. 6 p.m. April 5.

Commonwealth ClubThe Distinguished Citizen Awards Dinner honors the work of LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman, philanthropist Laura Arrillaga Andreessen; S.F. Opera Board Chairman John Gunn and his wife, Cynthia Fry Gunn and Google Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt and his wife, environmentalist Wendy Schmidt, at a fundraiser for this nonprofit public affairs forum. 5:30 p.m. April 8.

Merola Opera ProgramFormer S.F. Opera Director Lotfi Mansouri is honored during A Night in New Orleans, a gala fundraiser which features a cocktail reception, silent auction, dinner and performance by the S.F. Opera Adler Fellows. 6 p.m. April 12.

Catholic Charities CYOThe Loaves & Fishes Dinner honors the work of Cecilia Herbert, Rita Semel and Maureen Sullivan with the "Faith in Action" Award at this gala which raises funds for CYO charitable programs for those-in-need. 6 p.m. April 12.

INVITE OF THE WEEK California College of the Arts Renowned architect Art Gensler is honored at the Blue Prints, Blue Jeans & Bluegrass Gala which features a cocktail reception and awards dinner in support of the school's student scholarship program. 6 p.m. March 26.