About Us

San diego foster angels is a 501(c)(3) non-profit. We are a volunteer-based organization, with no paid administrative staff. all donations are tax-deductible. federal tax id: 83-2405827

Here’s a little story of how we came to be… back in the day our co-founder Peggy had been a mentor to four foster youth through San Diego County’s Foster Youth Mentor Program. A few years into her mentorship (2004) the County was short on funds for its annual December holiday gathering. Peggy declared “we can’t take Christmas away from these kids!”, she recruited her friend Lena who was at the time employed by Hyatt Hotels as a convention and events manager, rallied all her business and personal contacts, and raised funds, in-kind donations and had people in her community purchase and wrap gifts for all the kids based on wish lists the youth submitted. She partnered with a contact at Warner Brothers Studio to procure Harry Potter memorabilia, and then transformed one of the County administration rooms into a Hogwarts dining hall. Thus began our annual Good Cheer Gift Giving Party!

This has been our formula ever since, besides 2020 when we had to cancel our in-person party. We expanded our reach that year to even more foster and at-risk youth for gift giving, providing gifts and holiday catering to group homes throughout San Diego County.

After years of informally helping the County out in this capacity, our co-founders Peggy and Lena, decided it was high time they made things official and applied for 501(c)(3) status, which was granted in December of 2018. They created a Board of Directors with like-minded individuals.

Our reach has expanded beyond our assistance to the County of San Diego, to offer support to other San Diego area non-profits who provide services to foster, homeless and at-risk youth, as well as young adults transitioning out of foster care. We fill the gaps where there is a need. We recently founded the Chef Angels Culinary Program, providing cooking classes for foster and at-risk youth living in therapeutic facilities, as well as homeless youth in our community. See our impact for more information on all the things we do.

 

PEGGY GOLDSMITH-GASTALDO, PRESIDENT AND CO-FOUNDER

Peggy has been an Executive Administrator in San Diego’s Biotech industry for over two decades. She has supported three companies from inception through public offering and has helped out at every level, including capital fundraising.

For almost three decades Peggy has volunteered for San Diego County foster children, and co-founded San Diego Foster Angels in 2018. Peggy supports foster children with mentorship and fundraising throughout the year, with a big emphasis on generous gift-giving. 

LENA GOLDBERG, CMP, SECRETARY AND CO-FOUNDER

Lena’s talents currently lie in the culinary profession working as a private chef in Rancho Santa Fe, CA. Prior to that Lena has many years of experience in the hospitality industry, working her way up in restaurant, beverage and banquet management, before moving to catering & sales as a convention and events manager. Lena earned her designation as a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) by the Events Industry Council in 2003. This makes her a natural as the Program Director of the inaugural Chef Angels Culinary Program.

JASON PISKE, TREASURER

Jason found his way to the SDFA board in 2022 through his work with Chef Works, who awarded SDFA with a substantial grant to pilot a culinary program.

Jason’s early career took off in the music industry of Nashville, TN. His award winning talents were sought after by many artists in country music. When he had achieved all he could want, he pivoted his career back to the corporate world to have a better work-life balance with his family. You can also seek out Jason’s expertise in Real Estate, where he provides excellent service through Heritage Homes San Diego.

TRACEY BARKER, BOARD MEMBER

Tracey began volunteering with San Diego Foster Angels in 2021 and joined the Board in 2022.  She acts as the liaison between SDFA and the National Charity League Moonlight Chapter.  Utilizing the strengths of both organizations, she can coordinate over 300 volunteers who are able to help with SDFA efforts.  Tracey is a career philanthropist, creating and supporting programs with a focus on children and food insecurity.  

 JASON BRAND, BOARD MEMBER

Jason has volunteered with San Diego Foster Angels for 18 years and recently joined the Board of Directors post retirement from the United States Coast Guard.  Jason currently serves as the Service to the Armed Forces Director for the American Red Cross Southern California Region. Jason leads the department in providing Red Cross assistance to service members, veterans and their families.