B.W. COOK -- The Crowd

“One child at a time” is the slogan of CASA, formally known as Court

Appointed Special Advocates. The Orange County-based organization that

function’s as a “child’s voice in court”celebrated recently to raise

funds and awareness of the need for child advocacy in the legal system.

Outstanding supporters of CASA gathered at The Sutton Place Hotel,

Newport Beach for the 8th annual “Celebration of Children.”

Richard Gadbois III, vice president of Merrill Lynch, was honored with

CASA’s highest distinction, “Children’s Champion.” Also lauded was Nat

Glover, deputy district attorney; and Carol Bradley, who was named

“Advocate of the Year.” Corporate sponsor Gibson, Dunn and Crutcher, LLP

was also recognized for its continuing contribution to CASA.

The dinner event is the most important fund-raiser of the year for the

organization. An impressive $375,000 was raised as guests enjoyed a

four-course dinner and dancing to the Wayne Foster Orchestra. Major

auction items helped to raise the bar of financial success, as well as

significant event underwriting from corporate sponsors such as American

Airlines, Deloitte & Touche, LLP, and Pacific Life.

Individual donors include Fred and Linda Port, Chris and Pam Massey,

Glenn and Susan Schafer, Doug and Kylie Hodge and Geoff and Lucie Moore.

In the crowd for the tribute and dinner were Bob and Marie St. John Gray,

Anton and Jennifer Segerstrom, William Gillespie, Buzz and Julie Howting

and John and Michelle Williams.

Helping children is also the mission of Childhelp USA, so it is no

wonder that the community turned out in force last week for the annual

Childhelp fashion show and luncheon presented by South Coast Plaza.

The very chic Billur Wallerich, director of community relations for

the retail giant, produced the show, working closely with Childhelp

volunteer chairpersons Katherine Meredith and Nancy Whitlock. The results

were splendid, with Childhelp USA realizing a net sum in the six figure

range to support its programs in Southern California at the Childhelp

Village in Beaumont and in other locations around the world.

Childhelp founders Sara O’Meara and Yvonne Fedderson flew in from

headquarters in Phoenix, to be present at the event. Orange County is one

of the largest and most generous chapters in the national organization

they founded some 50 years ago.

A significant reason for Orange County’s major role is in fact

directly due to the work of one person. Patti Edwards, wife of Jim

Edwards, has championed Childhelp for a number of years, rallying

demonstrable support from a very large contingent of Newport-Mesa, as

well as Orange County at large.

Patti and Jim were honored by Childhelp as important children’s

advocates, receiving the “Inspirational Award” for 2001.

Also honored at the event was Myldred Jones, 90, founder of Casa Youth

Shelter in Los Alamitos. Jones started the 12-bed temporary facility at

the age of 68 in 1978, and has since provided services for more than

8,200 youths and some 32,000 family members, clearly making a significant

contribution to the community and to the lives of the many she has

helped.

Carol Packard, president of the Orange County Chapter of Childhelp

USA, was joined by fellow supporters Pam Bulter, Eileen Saul, Mary Allyn

Dexter, Barbara Ganahl, Cleo Buth, Nancy Cardin, Jana Shuler, Julie

Whittington, Dale San Filippo, Susan Whitlock, Diana Miner and Bev Zukow.

* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.