A lifetime later, she still is. Florence Barker is the consummate fundraiser, raising literally millions of dollars for charities and worthwhile causes during her more than 36 years as a volunteer. And she's still going strong as a member of the Valle Monte League.

"I guess over the years I've raised millions of dollars," Barker says. "Besides Valle Monte League, I've helped raise money for the San Jose Symphony by starting the Symphony Showcase, raising up to $150,000 a year."

Her ability to solicit funds makes her a popular target for other groups hoping to utilize her talents.

"I've been asked to be part of many organizations, but you can't split your time," she says. "I have given talks to groups on fundraising, but each case is different, and you can do it your way which fits the personality and situation."

"Fundraising is a real challenge," she adds. "I don't challenge anyone else, but each year I challenge myself to do better next year. You work to capacity. Fundraising excites me, and I can get as excited by a new donor as I did in the beginning, something to have fun with."

The Valle Monte League is certainly excited about having Barker on its side.

"Florence Barker has really been one of the dynamic persons in our community and has helped us so much, for one group or another, year-round," says Barbara Campisi, public relations chairwoman of the Valle Monte League. "She is so incredible and does the most fundraising of anyone."

And for Barker, that's been a labor of love.

"I spend a good 75 percent of my time on fundraising," she says. "I've been rewarded well, but I don't do anything for recognition—I don't expect it. But it is nice to be acknowledged. Many of the sponsors have become lasting friends."

Barker is certainly good at what she does, but even she looks for methods to improve her techniques.

"I go to fundraising seminars to find new ideas and ways," she says. "If you don't believe in the product yourself, you can't sell it. I thoroughly believe in the mental-health organizations Valley Monte League supports."

The Valle Monte League Inc. is an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization of 150 women, supporting four licensed mental-health agencies in Silicon Valley and the Greater Bay Area.

Ninety-eight percent of the funds raised go to support the four licensed mental-health organizations: Family & Children Services, The Centre for Living with Dying, Alzheimer's Activity Center and John XXIII Multi Service Center.

"Valle Monte is the working arm for the agencies we support," Barker says. "They depend on us for that money."

And the league depends on Barker to lead the effort to raise those much-needed dollars.

"I've known Florence Barker for 45 years at least," says Dorothy Crefield, a league member and past president. "She's been an excellent fundraiser. Whatever she does, she does well."

Over time, the league has raised more than $6 million for mental health, all without an office and with no paid staff or administrator.

"We also have a separate administrative account funded by dues and other luncheons," Barker explains. "When it reaches a certain level, we give to other groups. For example, underwriting increases the budget for The Ladies of Charity day care for children up to 6 years of age, whose parents are mostly low-income people who must work."

Barker served as the president of the San Jose Symphony Auxiliary for two years and was the president of the Ladies of Charity. She also served on the boards of many other area organizations.

Florence Barker has been a Santa Clara Valley resident since she was a child. Her mother was from San Francisco. When her father moved the family to Gustine, a small town with no opera, her mother was not happy.

The next move was to San Jose, since San Francisco was considered too humid. The five girls and one boy—Florence was in the middle—attended schools in Willow Glen. She graduated from San Jose High School and then went to San José State College.

She did some fundraising in college, and ended up being an instigator, convincing classmates that they could do it, too. But most of her fundraising came after college.

She was married to the late Ed Barker, who founded radio station KLOK in San Jose where he was a broadcaster. The couple had one son, Lindsay, whose 3-year-old son, Sammy, is her darling. She still lives in the family home in Saratoga, just off Highway 9 near Los Gatos and Monte Sereno.

This is Barker's 36th year of participation in the Valle Monte League, where she served two years as president. The league's biggest fundraiser is the annual Christmas Tree Elegance. She was vice president of the league and co-chairwoman of the event during the first Christmas Tree Elegance, held at McCabe Hall in downtown San Jose.

"Over the years, it has changed dramatically," says Barker of the Christmas Tree Elegance. "The first one was a designer fashion show, with stand-up models walking among the guests. The second year the models were on risers. The trees were decorated by our members and were given away."

The popularity of the event was so great that the league ended up being oversubscribed and needed to return as many as 250 requests for tickets. It was necessary to find a larger venue.

The event now takes place at The Double Tree Hotel, where the foyer is lined with professionally decorated trees, with gifts under each one. I Magnin did the fashion shows for 18 years. Fashion shows are now presented by Macy's.

Valle Monte members are responsible for securing sponsorships, which have risen from $5,000 the first year to $13,000, as well as the gifts under each tree. They either raise the funds from businesses or pay it themselves.

Each year's chairperson gets to pick the colors for the invitations, which go out in September, and the matching program folder that is designed by members. The 2003 theme is "Christmas Through The Window." Dates for this year's event will be Nov. 2, 3, 4 and 5.

The first day features a champagne brunch and fashion show with door prizes and a drawing for the Champagne Brunch Tree, and a holiday office party with tree and fashion show in the evening.

The second and third days feature a morning coffee with a fashion show, with door prizes and a drawing for a special tree, and an afternoon tea with fashion show, door prizes and a tree drawing.

The third day also finds the ballroom transformed into an early evening fairyland tea for children ages 3 to 10—with entertainment, dessert, door prizes and a visit from Santa.

Friday's feature is the Grand Ball with hors d'oeuvres, dinner, dessert and a silent auction, with dancing and the drawing for the Jewel Sparkle tree, which honors past presidents.

Last year more than 5,000 people attended the Christmas Tree Elegance programs. This year the printed program includes a 13-month calendar.

"Florence Barker is a concerned and dedicated lady to all of the many volunteer groups to which she belongs," says Doreen James, a former president of the Valle Monte League. "She is one of a kind, and always full of good ideas. She seems to know the past, present, and what the future plans should be. "She has been a guiding light and a true friend. There is just no one like her."

Florence Barker is indeed one of a kind.

For reservations and ticket information, please contact Valle Monte League Hotline 408.278.8001.