Honoring one of the county’s finest at the Grove

The Orange County elite gathered forces under the leadership of the

powerful First American Corporation to honor one distinguished man.

Rogers A. Severson received the “American Tribute” 2003 for his

lifetime of achievement and leadership.

Some 600 citizens came together at the Grove of Anaheim for an

event chaired by Tom and Judy Gilmer, with Newport’s John and Carol

Curci and Melinda and Tony Moiso serving as honorary chairs of the

evening, which raised an impressive $245,000.

The funds will be divided among Goodwill Industries of Orange

County, the Spinal Cord Injury Special Fund and Angels Care, a fund

of the Robert R. McCormich Tribune Foundation. All organizations

specialize in helping people with disabilities.

Former Costa Mesa Mayor and Daily Pilot columnist Peter Buffa

served as master of ceremonies. Buffa launched the first “American

Tribute” last year honoring Newport’s legendary Paul Salata.

Supporting the celebration were Donnie McFadden, Peter and Ginny

Ueberroth, Jim and Barbara Roundtree, Bill Smith, Judy Madorski, Rich

Kanzler, Kevin Coleman and Don Rogers, president and CEO of Goodwill

Industries, Orange County.

“Severson truly embodies the spirit of America and has shown his

commitment to community service,” Rogers said.

The honorees personal commitment to assisting people with

disabilities comes from his own personal experience suffering major

injury after being thrown from a mule. Severson has dedicated his

work to finding “life-changing” recoveries through the Spinal Cord

Injury Special Fund, which he founded, as well as through his close

association with Casa Colina Hospital.

Major corporate support for the evening came from such donors

Ashwill Investments, El Viaje de Portola, Net Development Company,

Saddleback Associates, Western Financial Bank and Western National

Group.

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John and Donna Crean opened their Back Bay estate for their third

annual “A Gathering of Friends,” helping Adult Day Care Services of

Orange County raise more than $100,000. The organization provides

services and support for seniors suffering from memory loss

disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease.

TV celeb Stephanie Edwards was on hand serving as mistress of

ceremonies for the evening helping to keep spirits high. The

volunteer event committee was led by Karen Johnson of Balboa Island

and Cindy Piquuelle and Jan and Jack Stephenson of Huntington Beach.

Local World War II vet Joe Kidushim of Newport Beach was another

spirited citizen supporting the cause. At age 86, Kidushim was

diagnosed with memory loss disorder.

“You have to go on with life, and it doesn’t hold me back from

anything,” Kidushim said. “I come here to be around other people. We

exchange ideas, make friendships.”

Others supporting Adult Day Services’ work at the Crean event were

Golda and Richard Johnson, Casi Di Leva, Chad and Kelly Kindemann,

Kim and Lewis Wetzel, Eve and Bill Thompson, Ann and Richard Brown,

Robert and Valerie Castle and Cordula and Malcolm Dick.

For more information on Adult Day Services, please call Celine

Keeble at (714) 593-9630.

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Friday is July 4, and as this nation celebrates its birthday, so

too will John Crean. The founder of Fleetwood Corporation and local

philanthropist will spend his birthday with family and friends at

home doing the all-American thing -- having a barbecue. Happy and

healthy birthday, Mr. Crean, and the same goes as well for this

blessed land, America.

* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.