Hearty Eats

The event: Sixth annual Sip of the County, a food-and-wine tasting that featured gourmet specialties from more than 20 restaurants. Thursday’s culinary fair at the Anaheim Hilton and Towers benefited the Orange County Chapter of the Muscular Dystrophy Assn.

Grazing: More than 500 guests roamed the ballroom, going from food station to food station in pursuit of chilled chardonnays, pastas, sweets and other fare. They piled their plates with Maryland crab cakes from Mr. Stox and sushi from Benihana. When they weren’t eating, guests swayed to live jazz and bid on silent-auction items, including a chance to win their weight in wine.

A family’s wish: Ten-year-old Jaclyn Greenwood, the MDA’s State Goodwill Ambassador from Orange, who has spinal muscular atrophy, moved about the ballroom in her wheelchair greeting chefs and guests.

“It’s fun. I get to go to all these events and meet people,” Jaclyn said.

Her father, Jack, has chaired Sip of the County for five years: “Most of the event’s proceeds will be funneled for research. As a family, we’re putting our hope in [finding] a cure.”

Added her mother, Karen: “Since Jaclyn has been diagnosed, they’ve already found the gene” that causes Duchene and Becker muscular dystrophies. “They’re getting close.”

Quote: “The MDA gives us an organization where we can be with other families and support each other,” Jack Greenwood said.

Bottom line: The gala was expected to net about $20,000 for the local MDA. Proceeds will be used for research and free medical services provided in MDA clinics at Children’s Hospital of Orange County and Loma Linda University.

Faces: Pat Anderson, Marge Herman, Lucille Kring, Janet Magnani, Pam Foster, Jolena Betts, Shirley Thomas, Debra Adams, Ike Seny and Mary Nelson.

What’s ahead: MDA offers a summer program for youngsters with neuromuscular diseases at Camp Cuyamaca in San Diego. Information on MDA services: (714) 550-0161.