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Robin Williams, 49ers Raise Funds for Arts, Kids

September 22, 2002

San Francisco Chronicle — Who says Sunday is a school night? Villa Montalvo found September 15 a perfect evening for a fundraiser, and so did more than 100 guests who went to Los Gatos for the sold-out evening with Ronnie Lott and, as it turned out, a famous comedian who lives in San Francisco.

The dual event raised roughly $180,000 for Montalvo’s arts education outreach, and Lott’s nonprofit, All Stars Helping Kids. (He’s also on the Montalvo board.)

Former San Francisco 49ers Joe Montana and Harris Barton and their wives continued the teamwork by joining Lott and his wife, Karen. The Lotts’ three children greeted guests at the cocktail reception beforehand.

Villa Montalvo officials declined to comment on the comic portion of the evening, but people in the audience told The Scene that Robin Williams performed a “spellbinding” show that touched on everything from George W. Bush to the Catholic church to Osama bin Laden. The routine was also sprinkled with references to San Jose’s fight with Oracle CEO Larry Ellison over his jet landing at the airport past curfew, and to down-and-out dot-commers selling their high-priced homes in Saratoga. Who knew he was so up on South Bay affairs? Considering Montalvo’s bad luck with Diana Ross’ cancellation of an August 14 benefit, Williams’ appearance must have seemed a godsend.