Crean clambake kicks of summer the right way

Enormous balloon art sculptures swam in the pool of the Hyatt

Newporter. Balloon palm trees, jumping dolphins and more set the

festive tone for the sixth annual Crean Lobster Clambake to benefit

the kids assisted by the Children’s Bureau.

It was an evening of summer fun without the sun. Hundreds of

locals dressed in tropical tones converged on the resort as the music

of a steel drum band blended with icy mai tai cocktails. It was a

recipe for a summer blast that raised big dollars to make a big

difference for kids lost in a world that can be as cold and tough and

miserable in unimaginable ways.

Chairs Lana Chandler, Peggy Goldwater Clay and Eve Kornyei worked

to make a difference for the children under the banner of charitable

involvement set by the super-generous Donna and John Crean. The crowd

sat poolside on this balmy Saturday evening as succulent lobster

dinners were served with all the trimmings.

Event committee members Shari Ciko, Sarah Corrigan, Yolanda de la

Paz, Margaret Kirby, Barbara Magness, Darby Manclark, Royal Radke,

Beth Shields, Missy Stern and Maureen Zehnter worked the al fresco

setting, selling raffle tickets and making sure all were enjoying the

affair.

A successful live auction led by masterful master of ceremonies Ed

Arnold of KOCE- TV brought in even more money for the kids, adding to

significant underwriting from Jim and Patti Edwards, Stan Hanson and

corporate sponsors including Disneyland, Tommy Bahama, Comerica Bank,

Emulex, Union Bank, BMC Software, AcrA Aerospace, Sodexho and

Washington Mutual.

By the end of the evening, the 350 guests helped raise more than

$100,000 for the Children’s Bureau, Orange County Chapter. The

organization, an offshoot of the L.A. Children’s Bureau, serves more

than 2,600 at-risk families each year, 96% of whom are below the U.S.

poverty level.

Spotted in the crowd were Crystal and Kelly Crean, Don Crevier,

Glenn Ellis, Ron and Betty Dominguez, Laurie and Mike Mendenhall,

Denice and Brian Mock, Debbie and Tom Newmeyer, Linda and Ross

Peters, Kathie and John Porter, Harriet and Sandy Sandhu, Ann and

Dick Sim, Nili and Jeff Stevens and Betty Belden-Palmer and her

exquisite daughter Cindy, who runs an antique business in Old Town

Orange.

* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.