R S V P / ORANGE COUNTY : Gymnasium Dresses Up for YWCA Gala

Seventy proved a magic number for the YWCA South Orange County on Saturday when the association staged a 70th anniversary gala that raised about $70,000 in net proceeds. Part of the funds will help the Y build a new 70-room housing project for homeless women.

More than 200 people attended the black-tie dinner at a gymnasium decked out like a ballroom at the YWCA’s headquarters in Santa Ana. The $150-per-person dinner included a live auction led by Stacey Roman and performances by harpist Kathy Kavanaugh and singer Candi Milo.

As Time Goes By

With gold streamers and hundreds of white twinkle lights hanging from the ceiling, the gymnasium was transformed into an elegant dining room.

“This is not what you’d expect from a gym,” said Michele Ryan, gala committee member.

Guests sat at tables draped in white cloth and adorned with tall topiaries decorated with white roses and moss. They were served a dinner of apricot-stuffed chicken and creme brulee for dessert, the work of Pennington caterers.

After dinner, the YWCA paid tribute to Betty Hutton Williams, a longtime supporter of the YWCA’s programs for homeless women. Williams was escorted on stage to accept the YWCA Humanitarian Award while Milo sang her favorite song, “As Time Goes By,” a fitting tune for the anniversary gala.

Asked why she supports the YWCA, Williams said, “No. 1, it’s a women’s thing. No. 2, I could be one of those women staying at the (YWCA) hotel.”

The humanitarian award will be given annually to outstanding supporters of the YWCA.

“We thought our 70th anniversary was a good time to establish the award in Betty’s name,” said Bonny Schumacher, events chairwoman.

Looking Back, Moving Forward

YWCA South Orange County was formed in 1924 to address the personal and professional needs of young working women. The organization first met at the Presbyterian Church in Santa Ana, where it provided social activities for young girls.

Today the association, which covers the southern end of the county from Santa Ana to San Clemente, has a $1.2-million budget and serves 18,000 women, girls and their families each year.

“We’ve been advocates for homeless women even in the 1980s when there was active denial that there were homeless women” in Orange County, said Mary Douglas, the organization’s executive director.

Local programs include the YWCA Hotel for Homeless Women, four child-care centers and Grace House, a four-unit transitional apartment for low-income mothers and children.

“We believe this association is doing important work in the name of the YWCA. They’re providing housing and job training, which women need desperately, and child care,” said Ann Stallard, national president of the YWCA of the U.S.A.

Finding additional housing for homeless women remains a future challenge for the YWCA. The local association is currently launching a program to convert its gym into a 70-room apartment house.

“We have to turn people away from the hotel every night,” said Fran Williams, board president of the local Y. “I’d like to see that need reduced. I’d like every member of the community to know we’re here, and to know support is here for them.”

Among the guests were: honorary co-chairman Mario Antoci and wife Jane; Marjorie Fluor Moore, wife of honorary co-chairman Bob Fluor (who could not attend); Jo Caines, Peter and Mary Muth, Marsha Harper, Ann Bluto, Ruthelyn Plummer, Patricia McGuigan, Barbara Phillips, Arlene Sontag, Jean Aldrich, Rob Shell, Brenda Brown, Joan Lars, Lori Anderson, Wanda Lee and Billie Masters.