Variety Clubs Gala Nets $750,000 for Children

Variety Children’s Charities raised more than $750,000 at its June 27 black-tie gala at the Century Plaza. The event was attended by 1,100 entertainment industry guests. Joe Roth, chairman of 20th Century Fox, was honored with the Big Heart Award. Variety Clubs International is a worldwide network dedicated to providing assistance to underprivileged, disabled and abused children. Dinner chairmen were Howard M. Bernstein and Michael Gross.

* KCRW-FM’s “Summerday 1991” fund-raiser held June 30 at the Pacific Design Center netted $52,000 for construction of a new drama/performance studio at the nonprofit station’s facility at Santa Monica College. Co-sponsors of the event were Starbucks Coffee Co. of Seattle and American Airlines.

* People Assisting the Homeless held its fourth annual “Old Glory” tribute luncheon June 14 at the Regent Beverly Wilshire. The event netted more than $88,000. Fund-raising activities since 1984 have helped PATH assist the homeless through a day-care center, emergency shelter, transitional residence and rental housing. Co-chairwomen were Penelope von Kalinowski and Sharon Davis.

* Los Angeles Child Guidance Clinic received $15,000 from Les Dames of Los Angeles, International Hostesses and Friends. The funds were raised at Les Dames’ first annual Beverly Hills Easter Parade benefit brunch at the Regent Beverly Wilshire. Proceeds will help build and equip a new facility for programs for abused and emotionally disturbed children and adolescents in Central and South-Central Los Angeles. Harriet Luckman chaired the event.

* Chris Brownlie Hospice will receive $1,800, net proceeds raised June 21 at Strike Theatre’s opening night benefit performance of “Spirochete” at the Heliotrope. The hospice will also share a percentage of the box office gross at the end of the play’s run Sunday.

* Almansor Center has received donations totaling more than $55,000 to further its programs for learning-disabled people. The Breton Foundation gave $40,000, proceeds from its “Rags for Riches” benefit. Almansor’s Auxiliary and Community Action Board, South Pasadena Kiwanianne and the styling salon Zen 2002 held fund-raisers that provided the balance. Almansor’s day school in South Pasadena provides services to children, youth and adults with learning, behavior and emotional disabilities.

* Los Angeles Youth Programs Inc. held a family-style “Camp Round-Up” fund-raiser June 30 at Calamigos Ranch in Malibu. Net proceeds of $50,000 will help disadvantaged and chronically ill children and their families. The program is a privately funded organization that sponsors Venice Camp, Family Outreach, Lifeliner (medical transportation service for children), Special Friends and Family Respite Care. Alice Drucker is executive director.

* UCLA Multiple Sclerosis Research and Treatment Center has been approved by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation for a one-year $260,000 research grant.

* National Conference of Christians and Jews netted $160,000 at its June 3 Brotherhood Ball at the Regent Beverly Wilshire. Proceeds will support NCCJ’s biannual Brotherhood/Sisterhood Camps designed to reduce racial prejudice and tension among high school students, as well as police-community relations projects and other programs. Dinner co-chairmen were Irving Feintech, Charles J. Reed and Roger M. Sullivan.