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all safe from harm," Janice explains. In 2006, the all-volunteer organization became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, changing its name to St. Germaine Children's Charity. Since its founding, the organization has provided $5 million in grants to agencies that offer care, shelter, and love for abandoned, abused, and neglected children. Membership dues of $65 a year help to cover overhead expenses. "We've all heard the expression, 'one-stop shopping,'" says Janice. "I like to describe donating to St. Germaine as 'one-stop giving.' For example, one donation can help victims of domestic violence, child trafficking, homelessness, drug addiction, and foster children with disabilities, just to name a few." e nonprofit also hosts Cocktails and Conversations, events in private homes with guest speakers from social service organizations. "e most recent presentation focused on the alarming increase of predators perusing children through social media," Janice says, which drew praise from San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan for educating the public. Janice became involved a decade ago after a neighbor invited her to the Silver Tea, the organization's signature fundraiser, held each December at a festively decorated private residence. e event heralds the holiday season with tea, little sandwiches, cookies, a silent auction, and the iconic silver bowl where guests add cash donations. "Its mission captured my heart," Twenty-four years ago, the couple bought their home, originally built in 1967, and began an extensive, nine-month remodeling project with the help of the late architect Paul oryk. "Although the original design had plenty of windows and skylights, by removing walls and raising the ceiling, we were able to accentuate an expansive feeling," Steve notes. But the home's centerpiece remains: a floor-to-ceiling window in the living room — which had to be craned in by the original builder. "e window frames La Jolla Cove and the surrounding hillsides," Janice says. "It makes me feel like La Jolla is part of our home." e Farnows also added a spacious terrace to take in the views and a side patio surrounded by 60-year-old Japanese black pine trees planted by the original owner. Steve added more plantings, including foxtail ferns and Leucadendron in the garden, and even built a miniature Japanese tea house to add to the tableau. "We often have lunch there and watch helicopters, hawks, and hummingbirds," says Janice. "It's very hard to get back to work." Retired from a career in the sale of computer systems, Janice is committed to St. Germaine Children's Charity, named after St. Germaine Cousin, the patron saint of child abuse victims, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. In 1984, Barbara Christensen and friends founded the St. Germaine Auxiliary to the Child Abuse Prevention Foundation to ensure that "San Diego's children were nurtured and loved, and most of << >> The couple added an expansive terrace to taking in dazzling coastal views @ranchandcoast RANCH & COAST MAGAZINE AUGUST 2024 79