DORIS BERGMAN’S GRATITUDE GIFTING LOUNGE FOR THE 2022 GEORGE LOPEZ CELEBRITY GOLF CLASSIC

This annual charity golf tournament was restored to its May time slot this year, (after being held in October in 2021, due to the pandemic,) so it was lovely to return to it on such a beautiful Spring day.

The George Lopez Celebrity Golf Classic itself is fun enough for the participants, but everyone’s favorite part of the day is Doris Bergman’s Gratitude Gifting Lounge, where the sporty celebs are treated to an array of fabulous items.

The gifting actually started right off the bat this time, with each guest receiving a juicy gift bag as they entered. Doris and company did something so thoughtful—they put a name tag on each bag, and held them on a supervised table outside the lounge, so no one had to carry theirs around all day. I loved that!

It was held once again at a golf club that’s so private that Laura, my co-writer and Los Angeles native, said she had no idea it was even there! We both loved the “Joe sent me” nature of the location.

But Laura was the most impressed with the Gifting Lounge, saying, “It was a beautiful, well-organized event that featured a really diverse group of companies that were new and exciting to me.” She added of the overall ambience of the day, “The grounds of the club are stunning, and it was a perfect Southern California day.”

Of course, the Lounge featured many wonderful gifts, (as Doris’ events always do,) but I especially appreciated that the occasion benefitted the George Lopez Foundation, whose mission is “to create positive, permanent change for underprivileged children, adults and military families confronting challenges in education and health, as well as increasing community awareness about kidney disease and organ donation.” I even got to speak with a kidney doctor who happened to be there, which was very educational. www.georgelopezfoundation.org

The sponsors were a lovely mix of new and familiar ones, which made the event extra-interesting. And everyone was upbeat and nice to each other, making the entire event an absolute pleasure.

Here are the highlights of the gifts we discovered at the Gratitude Lounge:

Sway Premium Audio—Laura says, “I love a company that takes a product that is usually lacking in design, and gives it the style that makes you want to display it. These media speakers come in very cute and cool-looking shapes, such as skulls and puppy dogs.  Why not make listening to music look good as well as sound good?” As attractive as those designs are, I preferred discovering their dual set, two speakers which you can keep together or put in different areas of a room, for surround sound. www.swayshop.com

Movo—This company’s rep must watch my YouTube videos because he introduced me to their iVlog All-In-One Starter Kit for use with my iPhone, so I don’t have to shoot not-great-quality vids on my computer’s camera anymore! Included in the kit are a special mic, a rotating phone holder, an LED light, and a mini tripod. If you subscribers to my channel start seeing more and more of my videos now, just thank (or blame) this company for that new productivity of mine! www.movophoto.com

Twisted Silver—I was so happy to introduce Laura to this company’s Debra Mitchell because the designer one of the most upbeat people I’ve ever met. And her jewelry matches her personality!  I knew Laura would love them both. When she saw the double-sided display at the lounge, she told me, “It was difficult to know where to focus when I saw all the offerings from Twisted Silver because everything is so beautiful!  Debra explained that she chooses pieces for each guest that she can tell they’re energetically drawn to.”  This time, we both loved the new mica pendants on neck chains that Debra said have special healing properties. Since that’s the case, I may need one for every inch of my body! www.twisted-silver.com

Art Lewin Bespoke—When Laura met Art, (sounds like a movie, right?,) she gushed, “There is nothing better than a well-dressed man! Art Lewin brought class and style to this event, both with his being and his beautiful silk ties and matching pocket squares which were bestowed on the guests.” So now all the men at this event will be at least partially nattily-attired when you next see them in public! www.artlewinbespoke.com

Frunutta Dissolvable Vitamins—Laura and I couldn’t tear ourselves away from the personnel of this new vitamin company! We so appreciated that they were happy to share their time with us. While Laura chatted with the rep, I picked the brain of one of the doctors on the board.  He could not have been kinder or more knowledgeable. Laura noted, “I finally realize why I don’t take the vitamins that I buy; it’s because I strongly dislike swallowing them. There’s nothing worse than trying to swallow a vitamin and getting it caught in your throat. Frunutta solves this problem with dissolvable tablets that melt under your tongue. What I also love about this company is that the products are manufactured here in Los Angeles. I’m already planning on ordering some for my family.” And I’m thinking of moving to Fullerton, just so that I can visit that doc as often as necessary. He knows absolutely everything!!! www.frunutta.com

Milena Los Angeles Candles—This was Laura’s introduction to Milena and her creative candles, and she exclaimed, “Her scents are amazing, incredible, and wonderful! And, to make them even better, all the candles are non-toxic and vegan.” Laura especially liked the classic Plumeria, while I went nuts over the new choices. Not only do some come in blue or pink glass now, but the fragrance choices have lovely monikers, such as Satin Sheets and Tuberose. They each add so much to a room. www.milenala.com

The Marijuana Factory—As befits a George Lopez event, this Los Angeles dispensary was on hand, gifting goodie bags full of THC products, including an edible they named “Laughing Lopez” for the occasion! We were bowled-over by the quantity and variety of items that were in each gift bag. Laura said, “I’m truly impressed! Ingenuity is not something that typically comes to mind when I think about a cannabis company, but that is exactly what I thought when I saw the offerings from The Marijuana Factory. They’ve taken the cannabis plant to the next level. They have products for energy, sleep, focus, etc. They even offer a pain relief balm.” www.themarijuanafactoryla.com

Cannabolish—Speaking of marijuana, I loved discovering these new odor-removing products, which take the smell of weed out of the air. I only wish it had been around when I didn’t want the ‘rents to discover what was going on in my teen-age basement! Laura noted, “These odor-removing candles, gels, and sprays are specifically focused on removing cannabis smells, which can be very strong. I love a business that sets out to solve a problem!” And they did the cutest thing at the lounge—they gave each guest a goodie bag of their products along with…an ashtray and a lighter! How creative of them. And if that idea was sparked while indulging in the herb, no one will ever know, because their own product removed the scent! www.cannabolish.com

Olita Mineral Sunscreen—This new company was gifting their various sunscreen products, including two in stick form, (one is tinted,) and several fun-flavored lip balms. Since we’re both sun-eschewers and healthful-planet kind of gals, Laura pointed-out, “What I also like about this company is that their products are ‘reef safe.’ Just think about the enormous amount of sunscreen that probably washes off into our oceans every day, which can’t be good for the sea denizens. I really love that this company has created a product that protects both people and the oceans.” I totally concur. www.olitashop.com

The Bearded Sailor—This company, headed by a bearded veteran, of course, was gifting a choice of beard oil or balm. Laura said, “I might not have a use for beard balm, [to which I say, ‘Knock on wood!,’] but I do have a thing for men with beards. This balm has a wonderful, clean essential oil scent and the ingredients are all natural.” I didn’t find-out if the owner is also a sailor, but since we know he’s a veteran, I’m guessing that he was in the Navy.

Kings Brewing Company—As many of you know, I don’t imbibe, so Laura’s taking this one: “I’m so intrigued by this product!  If the packaging is any indication of how good the beer is, then the guests are in for a treat. They even craft one to taste like Dole Whip, which is my favorite Disneyland treat.” www.kingsbrewingco.com

Arrowhead—Mr. X and I have been Arrowhead customers the entire time we’ve been together, so I was happy to meet some of their reps. The were gifting their tote bags which had the George Lopez insignia on it, along with little gifts like an insulated travel water bottle and a small, lightweight cooler. And Laura was happy to discover that they also make sparkling waters, and in flavors, to boot. www.arrowheadwater.com

On top of all that, we got to sit in the golf club’s stunning outdoor area, right outside the lounge, and eat whenever we wanted that break. There were all day hot dogs, (including turkey and vegan ones,) along with a selection of sandwiches, a healthful salad, little bags of chips, giant cookies, and made-on-the-spot ice cream. It was all delicious, and the camaraderie of the guests and sponsors added greatly to the experience.

All-in-all, Doris Bergman produced yet another outstanding event! George Lopez and Doris make a great team!