Though they moved to Thousand Oaks only seven years ago, Richard and Mary Carpenter will be honored for their contributions to the community at a National Day of Philanthropy luncheon Nov. 13.

It all started when the Carpenters were guests at a performance by the band Chicago at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza in the spring of 2003. That fall the couple — he's one half of 1970s music duo The Carpenters — donated a concert grand piano to the Alliance for the Arts, the plaza's official fundraising arm.

The Carpenters' generosity continued with the creation of the Richard Carpenter Performing Arts Scholarship for local middle and high school students and a donation for a 3 1/2-acre park at the plaza, which was recently named in their honor.

As the duo The Carpenters, Richard Carpenter performed with his sister, Karen, who died in 1983. Their hits included "Close to You" and "Rainy Days and Mondays."

Richard and Mary Carpenter's contributions will be honored at the luncheon in Santa Barbara, where they will be named Ventura County's Philanthropists of the Year. The event is hosted by the Santa Barbara/Ventura counties chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

"We are so pleased they were chosen for this recognition," said Ed Lewis, Alliance for the Arts' vice president of development. "It is very well deserved."

Sue Chadwick of Oxnard, a senior vice president with Santa Barbara Bank & Trust, will be honored as the county's volunteer of the year. She has served as the board chairwoman for St. John's Healthcare Foundation, United Way of Ventura County, Museum of Ventura County's Corporate Capital Campaign Committee and Oxnard Rotary Club, among other organizations.

Honorees from Santa Barbara County include Ginni and Chad Dreier, Philanthropists of the Year; and Jane Haberman, Volunteer of the Year. Rochelle Rose has been named Professional Fundraiser of the Year.

The luncheon will begin with check-in at 11:30 a.m. Nov. 13 at Fess Parker's DoubleTree Resort, 633 E. Cabrillo Blvd., Santa Barbara. Tickets are $65 each.

For more information and reservations, call Michelle Jacobsen at 493-3359.