B.W. COOK -- The Crowd

Charley Hester would have been smiling from ear to ear. Hester, who

died in 1996, was a community role model, not only for his extensive

philanthropy but for his spirit. He touched many lives and left behind a

loving family who carries on the tradition he established.

A very important part of that tradition involves loving and caring for

children who suffer from any type of affliction. Hester was enormously

proud of his association with Children’s Hospital of Orange County. He

backed his pride with his wallet and encouraged countless others to

follow suit.

In his honor, posthumously, 200 guests filled the dining room at the

Santa Ana Country Club for a recent benefit, as CHOC paid tribute to both

corporate and individual philanthropists in the name of Charley Hester.

The Charley Awards, as they are known, are bestowed by the CHOC

Foundation for Children upon individuals, foundations and corporations

that reflect Hester’s courage and commitment in the realm of volunteerism

in the service of CHOC and Children’s Hospital at Mission.

This year’s honorees include the Disneyland Resort, HealthCare

Foundation for Orange County, Florencio Ching, Norman Kamin, Dennis

Ciolli, Beverly Singer, Betty Keith and Pat and Marvin Weiss.

In addition to the honorees, past recipients of the Charley Award and

prominent members of the Newport-Mesa community -- including Martha

Fluor, Marcia and Michael Birney, Bill Ross, Howard Jones, Zee Allred,

Mindy Ensign, and Kenneth Huelers -- joined forces to support CHOC.

The evening began with a cocktail reception, followed by the dinner

and awards program, which was started by an invocation by Rabbi Shelton

J. Donnell. The prayer was followed by an address by Kimberly C. Cripe,

president and chief executive of CHOC. Cripe honored Chester’s memory by

paying tribute to his widow, Nora Hester, and presenting her with a

bouquet of red roses.

David Dukes, an Orange County business leader and chairman of the CHOC

Foundation for Children board, announced the award recipients. He was

joined by Jeffrey R. Wilcox, executive director of CHOC.

The recipients graciously accepted the accolades, sharing memories,

stories and relevant anecdotes about events that inspired their

involvement.

Honoree Beverly Singer shared her personal story as a member of one of

four CHOC guilds for 39 years. Singer helped to raise funds for CHOC

before the hospital was even built.

“I have never stopped, and I have never looked back,” she said.

The inaugural recipients of the Charley Award included prominent

Newport residents Jean Hamann, Leroy Hamilton, Shirley and Howard Jones,

Martin Lockney, and William F. Taylor. Other past recipients include

Marilyn Boone, William Bridgeford, L. Kenneth Hueler, Doris Knauft,

Melvin Miller, Maria Minon, Ward and Kelly Munson, Frances Paulson,

Marshall Rowen, Shirley Rowland, the Harry and Grace Steele Foundation,

and the Hoiles family.

Founded in 1964, CHOC is the only hospital in Orange County committed

to the welfare of children. More than 100,000 children are served each

year. Charitable contributions from award dinners, such as the Charley

Award, help CHOC to fulfill its mission of caring for children regardless

of the family’s ability to pay.

If a man can leave a legacy, then Charley Hester’s legacy is certainly

tied to the welfare of children in Orange County.

* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.