The Crowd: A night for the children
casa oc, court appointed special advocates of orange county, celebration of children, olive crest, Jennifer and Anton Segerstrom, Lauren Wong and Brenda St. Hilarie, Joy Winger, Mark Sanchez, Austin Howle, Paul McDonald, usc, Dr. Donald and Lois Verleur, Donald A. Verleur, Tim Bauer, Paul Dalton, Mickie Sharp-Villanueva, Lorraine Bader, Lori Feeney, Donna Bunce, Joe Buescher, Bryan Kaltenbach, Steven Bernardy
More than $1 million net was raised April 18 at the Court Appointed Special Advocates of Orange County’s annual black tie dinner fundraiser. The gala, billed as “Celebration of Children: Black and White Ball” is CASA’s most important fundraiser of the year.
The party took place at the Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel and welcomed more than 400 patrons led by event Chairwomen Lauren Wong and Brenda St. Hilarie, both of Newport Beach.
Honored guests of the night included Jennifer and Anton Segerstrom who were presented CASA’s “Children’s Champion” Award. Their company South Coast Plaza was recognized as “Outstanding Corporation” for its support of CASA.
Also honored was Joy Winger, who was named “Advocate of the Year.” Winger has been a court appointed special advocate for six foster children over the past 13 years.
The evening at the Ritz Carlton began with a cocktail reception and silent auction. Former NFL quarterback and USC star Paul McDonald served as the master of ceremonies for the evening.
McDonald introduced NFL quarterback Mark Sanchez as the evening’s keynote speaker. The Philadelphia Eagles’ quarterback spoke passionately about the importance of his father’s role in his upbringing stressing both rigorous practice on the athletic field combined with the diligent pursuit of educational development. Sanchez emphasized that when foster kids are deprived of an adult role model their road to personal success is significantly jeopardized.
A young man named Austin Howle stepped up to the microphone and brought Sanchez’s message directly home. “I was in 17 different foster placements from the age of 5 1/2 until the sixth grade,” he said. The constant change in home environment forced him to change schools repeatedly and he was separated from his siblings. Today Howle is 19 is and a freshman at Cal State San Bernardino.
“Without CASA’s relentless conversations with me on the importance of doing well in school I would have never graduated high school,” he said.
The evening celebration included a gourmet dinner, a live auction with prizes including a dream vacation in Phuket, Thailand and a chance to attend the 2016 runway fashion show in Milan for Versace. Founded in 1985 CASA OC serves1,000 children annually who are involved in the court system as a direct cause of abuse and neglect. Their mantra is “I am for the child.” For more information go to casaoc.org.
*
Olive Crest Comes to the Aid of Foster Kids
While dedicated patrons were in Dana Point for CASA, another 400 community activists headed for the Balboa Pavilion in Newport Beach, also on April 18, for Olive Crest’s springtime gala fundraiser.
The evening in Balboa took on a wonderful nautically themed setting calling for all patrons to come “All Aboard For Strong Families And Safe Kids.” Proceeds from the bayside party will benefit Olive Crest’s Project Independence, which provides foster youth between 17 and 24 with support necessary to become independent and successful adults.
”
The Balboa Pavilion party was led by honorary Olive Crest supporter Joe Buescher, an executive with Food 4 Less. Honored guests of the night were Bryan Kaltenbach, president of Food 4 Less who received “The Founders Award.” “The Olive Crest Children’s Award” went to Steven Bernardy, an executive with Merrill Lynch and president of the Olive Crest’s trustees.
VIP guests in the crowd included Olive Crest founders Dr. Donald and Lois Verleur, Olive Crest CEO Donald A. Verleur, Tim Bauer, Paul Dalton from Coca Cola, and Mickie Sharp-Villanueva. The upbeat event was planned and produced by Lorraine Bader and Lori Feeney.
Founded in 1973, Olive Crest has assisted more than 70,000 at-risk children and families in Orange County and beyond. The organization is working with 3,000 children every day not only in Orange County but throughout California, Nevada and the Pacific Northwest. Find out more by visiting olivecrest.org.
THE CROWD runs Fridays and Saturdays. B.W. Cook is editor of the Bay Window, the official publication of the Balboa Bay Club in Newport Beach.
