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.
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