Heels On for a Night of Purpose

Written By Alex Hailey

Last night a group of Santa Rosa Women for Good members came together for a special night out, filled with laughter, connection, and a deep sense of purpose. A group of our members were proud to sponsor a table on behalf of our giving circle at High Heels for Hope, the annual fundraiser benefiting The Zane Templin Foundation.

This was our second year attending the event, and we are honored to have the foundation’s co-founders, Fran Templin and Tara Krug, as valued members of Santa Rosa Women for Good. Their work honors the memory of Fran’s son, Zane, by creating a legacy rooted in compassion, resilience, and advocacy for expanded mental health services. The Zane Templin Foundation was the recipient of our Spring 2023 grant, and our group has continued to support their mission ever since. We are continually inspired by the dedication Fran and Tara bring to their work and grateful for the critical resources they provide to Sonoma County.

At its core, the Zane Templin Foundation works to send one powerful message to our community: every person matters.

The foundation is committed to fundraising year-round and is always seeking new opportunities to address urgent needs wherever they arise. Their efforts focus on supporting youth and young adults by:

  • Funding therapy services for individuals struggling with mental health

  • Providing grants to local nonprofits doing essential work in youth well-being

  • Creating opportunities for connection to combat loneliness and strengthen community ties

And just as meaningful as the impact is the joy behind it. The foundation has built a vibrant, supportive community of friends, family, and neighbors who come together not only to uplift others but to uplift one another. With heart at the center of everything they do, Fran, Tara, and their team continue to find new ways to show up for Sonoma County—expanding their reach, meeting more needs, and honoring Zane’s memory through compassionate, tangible action. Their supporters help grow that impact even further.

This work is especially vital as suicide rates continue to rise nationwide, and Sonoma County’s rate remains higher than the California average. The Zane Templin Foundation’s commitment to accessible mental health resources and youth support is an essential source of hope for many families in our region.

The evening also featured a powerful keynote from fellow Santa Rosa Women for Good member Leslie Bisbee-Jordan, CEO of Free to Be. Her organization partners closely with the Zane Templin Foundation to expand mental health education and support for local youth. Hearing Leslie speak underscored how collaboration between community organizations can drive lasting, meaningful change.

Alongside the heartfelt mission, High Heels for Hope was simply a joyful night out. Our table was filled with connection, conversation, and the spirit of women showing up for one another and for their community. We celebrated, we learned, and we stood alongside Fran, Tara, and all the supporters working to bring more hope, healing, and belonging to Sonoma County.

We are grateful to our members who represented Santa Rosa Women for Good and proud to uplift a cause that reflects our shared values so deeply.

Together, we continue to grow the good—one event, one partnership, and one act of community at a time.

Santa Rosa Women for Good members Lauren Thompson, Kristy Kerr, Fran Templin, Ashley Carollo, Alex Hailey and Stacey Burkman

Alex Hailey
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