B.W. COOK -- The Crowd

It was Monte Carlo night at the Village Crean last week and some 200

guests dropped in for dinner, gambling and a good cause. The John Henry

Foundation, founded in 1989 by Dr. Rick Massimino and based in Orange

County, finds its mission in helping those suffering from mental illness.

The mission is clear, and so is its motto: Eliminate the stigma.

In recent years, mental illness of all varieties has emerged from the

so-called closet of shame. Families no longer need to hide behind a veil

of hushed innuendo concerning loved ones who suffer. Organizations such

as The John Henry Foundation are dedicated to opening doors of

communication, as well as providing hands-on help for the mentally

“other-abled” individuals who the foundation assists with the needs of

daily living -- needs that can be overwhelming tasks for those not able

to cope.

While we are more advanced today in the treatment of mental illness,

we are actually, in some situations, less prepared to care for many who

are afflicted. Our governmentally sponsored treatment and housing

programs are, in many cases, either overburdened, understaffed or

underfinanced. They are also struggling with the so-called revised

medical and social viewpoints from both the clinical and the cultural

viewpoint regarding the proper care and housing needed by mental

patients. As a result of cutbacks and changes in policy, many patients

have been returned to society unprepared and unable to cope. These people

often roam the streets. Some are involved in horrific crimes, including

the Costa Mesa preschool rampage last year, which left two toddlers dead

and others injured as the result of actions by a mentally ill driver left

to his own demons behind the wheel of a car. In reverse cases, other

mentally ill individuals are the victims of street crime. We tend not to

hear as much about these scenarios.

Make no mistake, the challenges are great. The emotions run very high

as well, with good reason. And, it is imperative that organizations such

as The John Henry Foundation receive strong public support to help fill

the gaps in the treatment of mental illness. Equally important in the

process is the coming out and coming to terms with the various diseases

of the mind. We must not look away. We must face these problems head on

with compassion and science working as a team.

To this end, local support came from Al Kozischek, Bill and Virginia

Batiste, Philip and Charlene Carroll, Herbert and Becky Webb, Terry and

Pam Kennedy, Ron Jensen, Leslie and Susan Bender, Hugh and Connie Cole,

William and Lillian Wisenski, and Jaqueline De Rose, to name only a few.

The black-tie gathering began with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres,

followed by a dinner of roast tenderloin medallions of beef and Norwegian

salmon. Dessert was a traditional holiday bread pudding served with wild

berries and creme Anglaise. Candlelight carolers strolled the Crean

estate, and Debby Yeager and her band entertained the dancing crowd.

Silent auction items beckoned bidders to participate in helping the

mentally challenged.

The benefit was chaired by the dedicated Linda Palitz, with Kathleen

Nolan handling the massive silent auction duties. Planning committee

members making a difference included Becky Webb, Mary Robison, Nica

Sheward, Peggy Goldwater Clay, Piero Berlonghi, Scott Robison. Others

deserving recognition are Bill and Luanne Cosby, Steve and Vicky Zinser,

Susan and Robert Grosfeld, Gretchen Snyder and Jack Fisher, Greg Shyock

and the Sheward family.

* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.