Charity league serves the community

In reference to the Thursday Daily Pilot article “‘The O.C.’ is not

quite how it’s done in Orange County,” I was appalled to see the

National Charity League defamed in such an unconscionable way.

National Charity League and National Charity League Juniors donate in

excess of 16,000 hands-on philanthropy hours and more than $160,000

to the Newport-Mesa community.

To characterize this hard-working mother/daughter organization as

“a high society scene in which people -- adults and teens -- throw a

lot of money at good cause, pat themselves on the back and then

indulge in various vices” is defamatory. The Daily Pilot should know

better than anyone this is not the case. You highlighted one of our

members, Hayden Hutchinson, on the front page of your paper in June

2002 for her outstanding community service.

This misrepresentation of our organization is shoddy and malicious

journalism. Philanthropies we support through both hands-on volunteer

hours and financial contributions include Human Options/Second Step;

Shalimar Learning Center; Orangewood Children’s Home; Pediatric

Cancer Research Foundation; Environmental Center; Friends in Service

to Humanity (FISH); Someone Cares Soup Kitchen; High Hopes; and

scholarships to Newport-Mesa high school seniors, to name a few.

It is a shame that a community paper like the Daily Pilot would

erroneously slam an organization that does so much good for so many

local residents.

MARY FALLON

President, National Charity League, Newport Chapter

Newport Beach