The Crowd -- B.W. Cook

Angelitos de Oro, one of the longest sustaining charitable

organizations in Orange County, gathered its considerable human resources

for a spring luncheon and confab at the Center Club in Costa Mesa.

Angelitos supports Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Orange County. The group,

which numbers only 50 members by charter, is a powerful community force

that has been working quietly behind the scenes for more than four

decades.

The annual meeting and luncheon actually celebrated 40 years of

community service from women who have formed a close-knit bond with the

region, and with one another. Most importantly, their fund-raising has

enabled countless young people to experience the positive influence of a

mentor in their lives, broadening opportunities, expanding horizons and

opening doors once closed.

Addressing the luncheon crowd was outgoing Angelitos President Patty

Sue Glasgow. Introductions were made, dating back 40 years, of all the

presidents of the group, many of whom were in attendance, including the

beautiful Patricia Groth, who sadly lost her distinguished husband, Jack,

only two weeks ago.

Patricia and Jack were a couple who represented the very best of

Orange County. Transplants from the East Coast, together they were quiet

supporters of many worthwhile endeavors, never seeking recognition or the

limelight for their goodwill.

Jack Groth was a fine man whose presence will be missed in the

community. Patricia will carry on with his spirit in her heart, helping

to make a difference as they once did together. She was surrounded by

friends and supporters, including Beverly Ray, Marilyn Wooten, Gigi

Spragins, Darby Manclark, Judy Threshie, Arden Flamson, Catherine Thyen,

Hope Carroll and Billur Wallerich.

Another of the distinguished Angelitos alumni in the crowd was Helen

Starling. The incoming president of Angelitos, Carolyn Garrett, welcomed

old friends to the gathering, which was highlighted by two touching

speeches by a big brother and a big sister working within the program in

Orange County.

The Angelitos de Oro has raised and donated more than $2 million in

support of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Orange County.

* * *

The American Heart Assn., fighting heart disease and stroke, produced

a spectacular Orange County gala raising an impressive $350,000 to fight

America’s No. 1 killer, heart disease.

They called the affair, appropriately, “And The Beat Goes On,” as the

black-tie crowd turned out in force at the Hyatt in Irvine for the event

chaired by the dedicated Heidi Miller.

Working with a cross-section of community and corporate volunteers and

sponsors, including PacificCare, Tenet Health system, Pfizer, Hoag

Hospital, Kaiser Permanente, Pricewaterhouse Coopers LLP, House of

Imports, and John and Donna Crean, Miller and her committee produced a

disco theme night on the Orange Coast.

With additional support from American Heart Assn. advocates Patrice

Poidmore, Riva Gebel, Shelly Profenius, Wendy Kuran, Harriet Wieder,

David Wooten, Jeffrey Kaylor, Samuel Goldstein, Peter Lawrence and Robert

Greenberg, the evening was dedicated to saving lives.

* * *

Another of the small, yet powerful and hard-working, local charitable

groups, 44 Women for Children, which supports Orangewood Children’s

Foundation, held major events this month, including sponsoring a rock

concert at the Arrowhead Pond that featured Newport Beach’s Sugar Ray.

The Calling, which has held the No. 1 position on the pop charts for

weeks, shared the stage with the talent of veteran Pat Benatar. Before

the show, some 200 supporters of the Orangewood Foundation for Children

gathered at the Wet Seal store in South Coast Plaza to “rock the plaza”

as a thank-you for the sponsors of the major rock concert that organizers

billed as “Bringin’ It Home 4 Orangewood Kids.”

The cocktail reception was hosted by Wet Seal and South Coast Plaza,

represented by Billur Wallerich. Forty-four Women For Children is chaired

by Susan Samueli, with able support from Vice Chairwoman Sally Clark and

committee members Mary Barth, Keri Doyle, Diane Coon, Betsy Flint, Susan

Kinsey, Barbara Knapp, Regina Manian, Carolyn McInerney, Elsa Martinez

Phillips, Nancy Vos and Sherri Winkler.

* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.