The Crowd

B.W. Cook

Ruby’s Diner at South Coast Plaza was the place to be and be seen as

patients of Children’s Hospital of Orange County gathered for a reception

to present the 2001 Kids’ Cards Holiday Collection. The collection is of

greeting cards designed by young hospital patients ranging in age from 7

to 14. Most are fighting life-threatening illnesses, such as cancer and

cystic fibrosis.

Hospital spokeswoman Helen Wardner reports, “Fifteen artists

participated in this year’s collection, and they represent communities

from all over Orange County.”

The Ruby’s Diner event starred hospital mascot Choco the Bear, who was

busy “pawing” around with Dr. David Hicks, director of the hospital’s

Cystic Fibrosis Center. Hicks introduced one of the youthful artists,

Charlie Kuroiwa, 11, of Santa Ana. The young card-maker also happens to

be one of Hicks’ cystic fibrosis patients.

To order these very special holiday greeting cards, which cost $15 for

a package of 20, with 100% of the profit benefiting the hospital, call

Flossie Thwing at (714) 970-2462.

* * *

It was all about “Babes In Toyland,” as happy children and their

smiling parents spent a wonderful day together in support of The Adoption

Guild.

The holiday party, which took over three floors of South Coast Plaza,

featured food, fun and fantasy, as balloon makers created magic, portrait

painters painted, face painters delighted the kids, and local restaurants

generously donated a taste of their fare.

Guild President Melinda O’Brien led the charge with event Chairwoman

Marily Wilson. The Adoption Guild is a counseling, adoption and foster

care agency serving the greater Orange County under the wing of Catholic

Holy Family Services. It is known for its annual tennis extravaganza

fund-raiser, which attracts some of the great players in the nation. The

Roy Emerson Tennis Tournament is set once again for May 25-27 and June

1-2.

* * *

The Sophisticates of the Assessment Services Treatment Center held a

holiday gathering recently at What’s Cooking Bistro in Newport Beach.

Barbara Magness, the fashionable president of the active women’s

guild, enjoyed an evening entertaining local executives including Keith

Eyrich, president of retail properties for the Irvine Co.; Jason Lukon;

Jorge Lukon; and Maria Vallero.

Also attending the party were Carleen Brennan, Patrick and Grace

Thelen, Peggy Goldwater Clay, South Coast Plaza’s Sarah Corrigan, and Tim

Allen, president of the treatment center.

* * *

The eighth annual Mighty Rubber Ducky Derby netted $94,401 for the

Children’s Bureau of Southern California. Bureau representative Phil

Beukema was thrilled to report the success of the recent family day at

Wild Rivers Water Park in Irvine that attracted a large contingent of

Newport-Mesa citizens. More than 10,000 yellow rubber ducks sponsored by

local givers raced down the Lazy River Ride toward a finish line.

There were more than 200 prizes given out, including a grand prize of

$10,000 cash. The Children’s Bureau, founded in 1904, is the oldest

children’s charity in Southern California. The bureau offers treatment

and services to more than 5,000 abused and neglected children and their

families throughout Orange and Los Angeles counties. It is the pet

charity of Orange County superstar philanthropist Donna Crean, who

attended the party with husband John and a large assortment of family and

friends.

* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.