The Country Friends History
Formed in 1954 to fulfill a need of “Helping San Diegans, One Hand At a Time.” The Country Friends® owns and operates a Consignment Shop, actively seeks sponsors, and donors, and hosts events to raise funds for local human care agencies. With unparalleled standing throughout Southern California, we value each and every supporter of The Country Friends.
Your support whether it takes the form of a donation, event ticket, consignment and/or purchase from the shop helps The Country Friends to ensure the continuation and growth of this generous giving program.
Photo Credit: Gilda Adler Photography
President – Janean Stripe
Janean Stripe, an 18-year member of The Country Friends (TCF) Board of Directors, is the new president of the Rancho Santa Fe-based nonprofit. Stripe, who has long served as the organization’s treasurer and chief financial officer, succeeds Suzanne Newman, who stepped down after a four-year term but continues to serve as first vice president.
Stripe, a certified financial planner and senior wealth manager with Lucia Capital Group, has worked in the industry for three decades and has been recognized as a five-star wealth manager for the past ten years.
Stripe notes that The Country Friends has donated nearly $15 million to San Diego County-based charities since it was founded in 1954, with special emphasis on causes that benefit women, children, the elderly, military families, and the disabled. It is an honor to serve as president of a grassroots nonprofit that has provided crucial funding to so many worthy causes for nearly seven decades,” Stripe says. “I look forward to continuing this important work. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of so many.”
Stripe also serves on the USD School of Business Advisory Board, as well as the boards of A Step Beyond, Santa Fe Christian Schools, The Barnabas Group, Science and Faith Alliance, and DCPI (Dynamic Church Planting International).
She is married to Tim Stripe, co-president of Grand Pacific Resorts in Carlsbad. The longtime Fairbanks Ranch residents have two married daughters and three grandchildren.
Officers
| President | Janean Stripe |
| First Vice President | Suzanne M. Newman |
| Second Vice President – Human Care Funding | Marci Cavanaugh |
| Third Vice President – Director of Operations | Yvette Letourneau |
| Treasurer | Linda Block |
| Parliamentarian | Deborah Cross |
| Recording Secretary | Valerie Parker |
Directors
| Area Director | Christina Macone-Green |
| Area Director | Linda Sansone |
| Creative Director | Sage Billick |
| HCF Co-Director | Jolene Davidison |
| Honoring & Remembrance | Jean Waters |
| At Large Board Member | Laura MacKinnon |
| Publicity Co-Director | Andrea Naverson |
| Publicity Director | Mia Park |
| Special Events Co-Director | Tamara Lafarga-Joseph |
| Special Events Director | Maggie Bobileff |
| Volunteer Director | Lolly Sangster |
| Shop Volunteer | Keilene Hayward |