THE CROWD:Founders’ goal was communication

It was the 10th anniversary of the Haute Wired Ball in support of Planned Parenthood of Orange and San Bernardino counties. Appropriately, event organizers labeled the affair “The Decade Lounge,” honoring 10 years of service to the community.

Some 225 guests gathered at Tech Space in Aliso Viejo for dinner and dancing, raising $210,000 in support of Planned Parenthood’s health education department. Services reach more than 30,000 people each year, disseminating reproductive health information. In addition to the large sum raised, a special independent auction brought in an additional $8,400 for Planned Parenthood’s Teen Clinic.

The live auction raised $62,000 and included a travel package to the Italian Grand Prix, a jaunt to the islands of New Zealand and a Tahitian black pearl necklace designed by Robert Wan, who is the master of a Tahitian pearl empire.

The event was chaired by Lance Brown with support from dedicated volunteers, including Allyson Sonenshine, Laurie La Plante, Darcy Lee Post, Tricia Wilhelm and Helen Rotherham. Other local Newport-Mesa donors and activists included Dana and John Agamalian, Jennifer Cannon, Linda Fetzer, Shelly Lowman, Mindy Miller, Shelly O’Hill, Laura Wilson, Wende Zomnir and Amy Zunzunegui.

Also supporting Planned Parenthood were Afsaneh Alisobhani, Tammy Bartel, Kay Bright, Carol Brown, Laura Lee Brown, Kori Chronister, Tiffany Corbett, Lori Epner, Katrina Foley, Amy Karlin, Marina Knaup, Virginia Layton, Leslie Thompson, Courtney Noelle, Jodi Ottman, Gretchen Sheppard, Julie Ulcickas and Melissa Vaicek.

The evening honored the founders of the Haute Wired Ball, Teddie Ray, Darcy Lee Post and Katherine Sanderson. All three remain dedicated to the mission of Planned Parenthood “providing confidential, affordable, high-quality reproductive health care.”

Planned Parenthood’s mission statement goes on adding, “We fight for the fundamental right of individuals to determine their own destiny. We provide comprehensive, honest sex education and health information which enables individuals to make responsible and informed choices.”

Perhaps more than any other cause, Planned Parenthood has become a lightening rod of controversy in recent years. Founded decades ago by women seeking avenues of help for a then-clandestine subject of birth control and abortion, the subject has morphed into an American dialogue that at times pulls the fabric of our community and our nation apart.

Abortion rights advocates line up against those who are anti-abortion, and often the fundamental human issue of the birth of a child is mired in violent argument over government funding of abortion and the legal and social layers that have developed in recent years that provide welfare dollars for women seeking to terminate pregnancies or have more children to place on federal, state and local lines of support.

The spirit of the founders was to prevent women from seeking dangerous backroom abortions and to provide women and men with information concerning sexual practices as well as responsible parenting.

Unfortunately, much of this original spirit — while still vitally important — has been compromised by the present state of our cultural, societal and religious norms. While it is not usual and customary to turn the Daily Pilot society column into a pulpit for or against any particular charitable cause, in the case of Planned Parenthood, it is necessary to expound on the controversy that cannot be denied.

Our nation struggles with the continuous debate over the Roe vs. Wade legislation legalizing abortion in America. Health workers in the reproductive field have been murdered by extremists who have taken the law into their own hands.

Parents are pitted one against the other concerning sex education being taught to their children in public schools, as well as the very existence of Planned Parenthood and its availability to young people without the consent of their parents.

These are tough questions. Proponents of Planned Parenthood ask, “Would you rather have your child contract a sexually transmitted disease — or worse, possibly AIDS — as a result of not being informed?” Further, the question is raised, “If a child is informed and is fully aware of sexual practices, does this not go a long way in preventing unwanted pregnancies?”

These and other questions can only be answered by each of us, taking into account our own values and viewpoints. The most important thing to remember is that rational, reasonable and caring communication, as was the desire of the founders of Planned Parenthood many years ago, may lead to stopping the abuse of abortion and helping people to fully appreciate the value of every life.

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